Meaning trap
take to
to start liking someone or something
To quickly begin to like someone or something, often unexpectedly.
phrasal verbB1common
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to start liking someone or something
To quickly begin to like someone or something, often unexpectedly.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- My son really took to his new teacher and looks forward to school now.daily life
- When I started my new job, I immediately took to the friendly atmosphere and supportive colleagues.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: take to + noun/pronoun/gerund
WrongI really took to with the new teacher.
RightI really took to the new teacher.
'Take to' takes the object directly — no 'with'.
Patterntake to + noun/pronoun/gerund
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Take to' is the natural verb for warming to someone quickly; the formal version is stiff.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
take to + person/thingher right awaythe placethe ideait quickly
Don't confuse it
'Take to' is different from 'take after' (which means to resemble someone, usually a family member).