The term 'take to task' is an idiom that means to REPRIMAND or criticize someone for their actions. The crossword solutions for this term are HARANGUE (8 letters), SCOLD (5 letters), DENOUNCE (8 letters), REBUKE (6 letters), BERATE (6 letters), ADMONISH (8 letters), REPRIMAND (9 letters), and CHIDE (5 letters). All of these words have similar meanings, but they vary in intensity. HARANGUE and DENOUNCE are the most severe, while SCOLD and CHIDE are milder. REPRIMAND and REBUKE are somewhere in the middle. ADMONISH is a gentle way of expressing disapproval.