to take legal action against a person or organization, especially by making a legal claim for money because of some harm that they have caused you

He was so furious about the accusations in the letter that he threatened to sue. 他对信里的指控愤怒至极，扬言要控告对方。

She sued the paper for (= in order to get) damages after they wrongly described her as a prostitute. 因为该报纸诽谤她是妓女，她对其提起了诉讼要求赔偿损失。

She is suing her husband for (= in order to get a) divorce. 她正在和丈夫打官司要求离婚。

Compare: litigate