Takes to task is a phrase that describes the act of reprimanding someone for their behavior. The crossword solutions for this phrase are CHASTENS (8 letters), REBUKES (7 letters), and CHIDES (6 letters). Chastens means to criticize or punish someone severely, rebukes means to express sharp disapproval or criticism, and CHIDES means to scold or rebuke someone mildly. All three words describe the act of taking someone to task for their actions.