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context

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take (something) out of context

To misrepresent the meaning of an utterance, an action, or a report thereof by omitting or altering the original context in which it was spoken or done. You have to be very careful what you say when you're a politician, because the media are all too happy to take anything you say out of context. The way you're describing what she did sounds terrible, but you're taking things completely out of context.

See also: context, of, out, take

in the context of something

in the circumstances under which something happens or has happened. In the context of a funeral, laughing loudly is inappropriate. In the context of an argument, it is fine to speak firmly.

See also: context, of

*out of context

[of an utterance or the report of an action] removed from the surrounding context of the event, thereby misrepresenting the intent of the utterance or report. (*Typically: be ~; lift something ~; quote someone or something ~; take something ~.) You took her remarks out of context! You're the dishonest person, not her!

See also: context, of, out