issue


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cloud the issue

To obfuscate or distract from the topic at hand by introducing irrelevant and/or misleading information. Politicians are always clouding the issue during debates by pointing out their opponents' history in other issues. Don't cloud the issue with talk about your past achievements, stick to the question I'm asking you. His muddled explanation only served to cloud the issue further for his students.
See also: cloud, issue

confuse the issue

To obfuscate or distract from the topic at hand by introducing irrelevant and/or misleading information. Politicians are always confusing the issue during debates by pointing out their opponents' history in other issues. Don't confuse the issue with talk about your past achievements, please stick to the question I'm asking you. His muddled explanation only served to confuse the issue further for his students.
See also: confuse, issue

cut to the pith (of something)

To focus directly on the essential or core matter(s) of a given topic or issue. Her newest book cuts to the pith of what it means to be human. We are looking for a reporter who will cut to the pith, not fluff their articles with unnecessary details or asides.
See also: cut, pith

force the issue

To compel a decision, discussion, or confrontation regarding a particular issue or matter at hand. For months my boss has been dragging his feet about increasing my pay, so tomorrow I'm finally going to force the issue with him.
See also: force, issue

get to the heart of (something)

To discover, determine, and/or understand the essential, core, or most important aspect(s) of some issue, problem, or topic at hand. Don't worry ma'am, we'll get to the heart of the matter of your daughter's disappearance. After two hours tinkering with your computer, I think I've gotten to the heart of the problem. Her latest novel really gets to the heart of what it means to be human.
See also: get, heart, of

fudge the issue

To dodge or avoid doing something. The phrase often has a connotation of deceit. The finance department is fudging the issue for now, but once news reaches the CEO, they will have to admit whatever they did to make these figures so impressive. I know you didn't do any of the chores I assigned you, and you can't fudge the issue any longer!
See also: fudge, issue

side issue

A topic related to, but less important than, the subject currently being discussed or considered. While you make an intriguing point, I'm afraid we don't have to time to cover side issues like that in today's lecture. Try not to get lost in all the side issues related to this case as you do your research.
See also: issue, side

at issue

1. Under discussion. The topic at issue is whether or not to implement a new detention policy.
2. In disagreement. They are at issue over the best way to lead the committee.
See also: issue

take issue with (someone or something)

To disagree with someone or something; to consider someone or something to be problematic or untrue. I take issue with the wording in this paragraph. If you take issue with me or my methods, feel free to hire someone else.
See also: issue, take

make an issue (out) of

To exaggerate or put too much focus on a minor issue and make it seem like a major one. You got one B and you're acting like you're failing the class—don't make an issue out of the whole thing. Let's not make an issue of this; it's just a minor setback.
See also: issue, make, of

issue a call for something

to make a public invitation or request for something. The prime minister issued a call for peace. The person who organized the writing contest issued a call for entries.
See also: call, issue

issue (forth) from some place

to go out or come out of a place. The news releases issued forth from the pressroom on a regular basis. Clear water issued from the side of the hill.
See also: issue, place

issue from something

to come out or flow out of something. A delicious perfume issued from Sally's hair as she passed. A wonderful aroma issued from the kitchen as the bread baked.
See also: issue

issue someone with something

to provide someone with something; to distribute something to someone. We issued them with the clothes they needed for the trip. Everyone was issued with supplies.
See also: issue

issue something as something

to release or send out something as something. They issued this month's magazine as a special double issue. The publisher issued this month's magazine as the very last one.
See also: issue

issue something to someone

to distribute or dispense something to someone. The front office issued new assignments to everyone today. New keys were issued to everyone.
See also: issue

make a point of someone or something

 and make an issue of someone or something
Fig. to turn someone or something into an important matter. Please don't make a point of John's comment. It wasn't that important. I hope you make an issue of Tom's success and the reasons for it.
See also: make, of, point

take issue with someone

to argue with someone. I heard your last statement and I have to take issue with you. Tom took issue with Maggie about the cost of the house.
See also: issue, take

take issue with something

to disagree with or argue about something. I have to take issue with that statement. I want to take issue with the last statement you made.
See also: issue, take

at issue

1. In question, under discussion; also, to be decided. For example, Who will pay for the refreshments was the point at issue. [Early 1800s]
2. In conflict, in disagreement, as in Physicians are still at issue over the appropriate use of hormone therapy. This usage, from legal terminology, was defined by Sir William Blackstone ( Commentaries on the Laws of England, 1768), who said that when a point is affirmed by one side and denied by the other, "they are then said to be at issue."
See also: issue

make a point of

Treat something as important or essential, as in She made a point of thanking everyone in the department for their efforts. This expression uses point in the sense of "an objective or purpose." [Late 1700s] Also see make one's point.
See also: make, of, point

take issue with

Disagree with, as in I take issue with those figures; they don't include last month's sales. This idiom comes from legal terminology, where it was originally put as to join issue, meaning "take the opposite side of a case." [Late 1600s]
See also: issue, take

force the issue

compel the making of an immediate decision.
See also: force, issue

make an issue of

treat too seriously or as a problem.
See also: issue, make, of

take issue with

disagree with; challenge.
See also: issue, take

ˈforce the issue

do something to make people take action quickly: The management certainly seemed sympathetic to our concerns, but I think it would be best to wait a while and not try to force the issue just yet.
See also: force, issue

at ˈissue

the most important part of the subject that is being discussed: The point at issue here is his honesty, not the quality of his work.
See also: issue

make an ˈissue of/out of something

behave as if something is more serious or important than it really is: Look, it’s not important who did it. Let’s not make an issue out of it.
See also: issue, make, of, out, something

take ˈissue with somebody (about/on/over something)

(formal) disagree and argue with somebody about something: I’d like to take issue with you about what you just said.
See also: issue, somebody, take

dead issue

n. an issue that doesn’t matter anymore. It’s a dead issue. Forget it.
See also: dead, issue

issue

n. problem. (In colloquial use, issue has virtually replaced the word problem. It is even heard in a few idioms such as Do you have an issue with that?) I had an issue with my car this morning. It wouldn’t start. You are late again! Do you have an issue with our office hours?

at issue

1. In question; in dispute: "Many people fail to grasp what is really at issue here" (Gail Sheehy).
2. At variance; in disagreement.
See also: issue

join issue

1. To enter into controversy.
2. Law To submit an issue for decision.
See also: issue, join

take issue

To take an opposing point of view; disagree.
See also: issue, take

make a point of

To consider or treat (an action or activity) as indispensable: made a point of visiting their niece on the way home.
See also: make, of, point
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