take to — to start liking someone or something
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To quickly begin to like someone or something, often unexpectedly.
Say it like a native
Textbook I developed an immediate fondness for her.
Native I took to her straight away.
'Take to' is the natural verb for warming to someone quickly; the formal version is stiff.
Pattern: take to + noun/pronoun/gerund
In use
- 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
Common mistake
✗ I really took to with the new teacher.
✓ I really took to the new teacher.
'Take to' takes the object directly — no 'with'.
Common collocations
take to + person/thing— her right away, the place, the idea, it quickly
Don't confuse it
'Take to' is different from 'take after' (which means to resemble someone, usually a family member).