cotton to

British  

verb

1. to become friendly with

2. to approve of

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cotton to Cultural  

1. To take a liking to someone or something: “I was afraid Janet wouldn't like my brother, but she cottoned to him immediately.”

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cotton to Idioms  

1. Take a liking to, get along with, as in This dog doesn't cotton to strangers . Although this verbal phrase comes from the noun for the fabric, the semantic connection between these parts of speech is unclear. [Early 1800s]

2. Also, cotton on to . Come to understand, grasp, as in She didn't really cotton on to what I was saying . [ Colloquial ; early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

Meanwhile, the fashion industry is responsible for generating between 8-10% of global emissions, according to the United Nations, from growing cotton to using oil to create synthetic materials such as polyester.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2023

His grandfather left school after the third grade to pick cotton, and Scott frequently describes himself as an embodiment of the American dream by "going from cotton to Congress in one lifetime."

From Reuters • May 19, 2023

He encouraged the peasantry to grow cotton during the winter months, when they were not growing food crops, and sold the cotton to Britain.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

“Our family went from cotton to Congress in one lifetime,” Scott said as a featured speaker of the 2020 Republican National Convention.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 4, 2022

“Mrs. Saylor might not cotton to boys like us calling on her.”

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney