1
general::
Phrase(s): take someone to task
to scold or reprimand someone. • The teacher took John to task for his bad behavior. • I lost a big contract, and the boss took me to task in front of everyone.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Upbraid, scold; blame or censure. For example, The teacher took Doris to task for turning in such a sloppy report. This term, dating from the mid-1700s, at first meant either assigning or challenging someone to a task. Its current sense dates from the late 1800s.
American Heritage Idioms