Phrasal verbs "take against" vs "take to"

Differences between take against and take to

Take against means to develop a dislike or negative feeling towards someone or something, whereas take to means to start liking or enjoying someone or something.

Meanings and Definitions: take against vs take to

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Take against

• 1. To develop a dislike or hostility towards someone.

  Martin took against her almost straight away.

Take to

• 1. Make a habit of something.

  He's TAKEN TO wearing a baseball cap since his hair started thinning more noticeably.

Usage Examples: take against, take to in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

take against

Example

I don't know why, but I just took against him from the start.

Example

She takes against people who talk too much.

take to

Example

She takes to yoga quickly and enjoys it.

Example

He takes to playing the guitar in his free time.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Take against

develop a dislike for

To start feeling negatively towards someone or something.

Example

She developed a dislike for the new boss after he criticized her work without reason.

take a disliking to

To start disliking someone or something.

Example

The dog took a disliking to the mailman and barked at him every time he passed by.

have a grudge against

To hold a persistent feeling of resentment or anger towards someone.

Example

He had a grudge against his former colleague for taking credit for his work and never apologized.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Take to

warm up to

To start liking or becoming friendly towards someone or something.

Example

It took a while, but she eventually warmed up to her new roommate and they became good friends.

grow fond of

To start liking or feeling affectionate towards someone or something.

Example

He grew fond of the small town and decided to stay there for a few more days.

take a liking to

To start liking or enjoying someone or something.

Example

She took a liking to the new hobby and spent most of her free time practicing it.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “take”

• take down
• take after
• take off
• take it upon yourself
• take aside

Phrasal Verbs with “against”

• have against
• hold against
• turn against
• kick against
• count against

Phrasal Verbs with “to”

• yield to
• cater to
• keep to
• happen to
• belong to

Differences in take against vs take to: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: take against or take to?

In daily conversation, people use take to more often than take against. This is because take to is used for more positive situations such as liking someone or something, while take against is used for negative situations such as disliking someone or something. However, both phrases are not very common and may be replaced by simpler expressions in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of take against and take to

Take against and take to are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of take against and take to

The tone of take against and take to can differ based on context. Take against often carries a negative or hostile tone, while take to typically has a positive and friendly tone.

take against & take to: Synonyms and Antonyms

Take against

Synonyms

• dislike
• develop hostility
• become hostile
• feel aversion
• bear a grudge
• hold a grudge

Antonyms

• like
• appreciate
• get along
• be friendly
• develop a rapport
• feel affinity

Take to

Synonyms

• adopt
• develop
• acquire
• embrace
• grow fond of
• become accustomed to

Antonyms

• reject
• dislike
• abandon
• discontinue
• give up
• resist