expression, godan verb (-ru)
interpret a passage out of context; quote out of context
Idiomatic expression meaning to take a passage or statement and interpret it in isolation, ignoring the surrounding context. Often used critically when someone distorts meaning by selective quotation. Related to the four-character compound 断章取義 (だんしょうしゅぎ).
See also: 断章取義 (だんしょうしゅぎ)
彼はいつも章を断ち義を取るような解釈をするから、話がかみ合わない。
He always interprets things by taking passages out of context, so we never see eye to eye.
章を断ち義を取る読み方をすると、著者の意図を誤解してしまう。
If you read by isolating passages from their context, you'll misunderstand the author's intent.