聞ききとがめる

ichidan verb, transitive verb

find fault with; take someone to task for what they said

Used when someone hears something questionable and calls the speaker out on it, often in a critical or accusatory way.

• 彼かれは私わたしの言こと葉ばを聞ききとがめて、「それ、どういう意い味み？」と聞きいてきた。

  He took issue with what I said and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

• 上じょう司しは部ぶ下かの言いい訳わけを聞ききとがめて、厳きびしく注ちゅう意いした。

  The boss found fault with the subordinate's excuse and reprimanded him sternly.