A teacher said 'take it out on someone' means to make someone tired...

[shawna]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #610 "English Slang Idioms (352)", question 6

"I know that you're very angry with your boyfriend, but don't ......... it out on me. I didn't do anything wrong," Lisa's brother said.

(a) toss
(b) trounce
(c) take
(d) tell

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #610 "English Slang Idioms (352)", answer 6

"I know that you're very angry with your boyfriend, but don't take it out on me. I didn't do anything wrong," Lisa's brother said.

Correct answer: (c) take
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a teacher said "take it out on someone" means to make someone tired. In my interpretation it means to release your anger on someone, like a defense mechanism( projection). which is correct?

shawna

[Mister Micawber]

Yours is the only definition I know.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Kitosdad]

Shawna, what your teacher said was, " Take it out of someone."

Now it makes sense. To make someone tired through work or play.
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If you need me, I'm here.

[Alan]

Hi Shawna,

Let's just go over that again.

Look at these:

He was so angry with his boss that when he got home, he took it out on the dog by kicking it. In other words the dog received all the anger inside him.

He went for a long walk with the dog for miles and miles and fell asleep when he got home as the effort had taken it out of him. In other words the long walk had completely exhausted him.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A day in the life of a stately home owner