take to
verb
took to; taken to; taking to; takes to
transitive verb
1
: to go to or into (a place)
take to the woods/hills
Thousands of people took to the streets in protest. [=went out into the streets to protest]
He took to the airwaves [=he spoke on the radio] with his message.
2
: to begin doing (something) as a habit or regular practice
take to drink
—usually used with a following present participle take to drinking/smokingHe's recently taken to staying up late on weekends.A few of her classmates took to calling her Pipi, after Pippi Longstocking …
Calvin TomkinsRecently, he'd taken to wearing tuxedos and suits and had gotten a new car, she said. Laura Italiano and Tamar Lapin
Calvin TomkinsRecently, he'd taken to wearing tuxedos and suits and had gotten a new car, she said. Laura Italiano and Tamar Lapin3
: to adapt oneself to
They haven't taken well to the new schedule.
4
: to start to have a liking for
I took to her immediately.
He tried skiing and took to it quickly. [=he quickly learned how to ski and liked doing it]
Note: To take to something like a duck (takes) to water is to begin to do it, use it, etc., in a very quick, easy, and natural way.
She took to horseback riding like a duck to water.
Deanna takes to student life like a duck takes to water, doing all the things that we all did … Joe Anderton
see also take kindly to Joe Anderton
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
taking to
phrase
as in enjoying
to take pleasure in He took to figure skating at a young age. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- enjoying
- going for
- loving
- liking
- being partial to
- getting a charge out of
- getting off (on)
- revelling (in)
- grooving (on)
- relishing
- getting a kick out of
- having a soft spot for
- reveling (in)
- rejoicing (in)
- delighting (in)
- fancying
- savoring
- adoring
- admiring
- digging
- savouring
- appreciating
- feasting (on)
- revering
- venerating
- drinking (in)
- doting (on)
- valuing
- eating (up)
- cottoning (to)
- worshipping
- treasuring
- cherishing
- worshiping
- indulging (in)
- idolizing
- prizing
- preferring
- luxuriating (in)
- wallowing (in)
- devouring
- favoring
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hating
- loathing
- abominating
- disliking
- abhorring
- detesting
- condemning
- despising
- scorning