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
took to
phrase
as in enjoyed
to take pleasure in He took to figure skating at a young age. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- enjoyed
- loved
- liked
- went for
- relished
- got off (on)
- adored
- savored
- fancied
- revelled (in)
- got a charge out of
- got a kick out of
- reveled (in)
- savoured
- had a soft spot for
- admired
- appreciated
- revered
- dug
- rejoiced (in)
- venerated
- was partial to
- delighted (in)
- valued
- preferred
- grooved (on)
- worshipped
- treasured
- cherished
- worshiped
- drank (in)
- prized
- devoured
- idolized
- ate (up)
- doted (on)
- indulged (in)
- feasted (on)
- favored
- wallowed (in)
- cottoned (to)
- luxuriated (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hated
- loathed
- detested
- disliked
- abominated
- abhorred
- despised
- condemned
- scorned
- surf smelt
- surf snipe
- surf whiting
- surf-riding
- surfable
- surface
- surface area
- surface car
- surface carburetor
- surface chemistry
- surface color
- surface cooler
- surface creep
- surface density
- surface dive
- surface energy
- surface feeder
- surface fire
- surface gauge
- surface gravity
- surface harden
- surface integral
- surface layer
- surface mail
- surface measure