take to

verb

1. to make for; flee to

   to take to the hills

2. to form a liking for, esp after a short acquaintance

   I took to him straightaway

3. to have recourse to

   to take to the bottle

4. to regard seriously

Idioms and Phrases

Have recourse to, go to, as in They took to the woods . [c. 1200]

Develop as a habit or steady practice, as in He took to coming home later and later . [c. 1300]

Become fond of, like, as in I took to him immediately , or The first time she skied she took to it . This expression, from the mid-1700s, is sometimes expanded to take to it like a duck to water , a simile dating from the late 1800s.

take to be . Understand, consider, or assume, as in I took it to be the right entrance . [Mid-1500s] Also see the subsequent entries beginning with take to .

Example Sentences

In July 2024, she collapsed at home and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, where she died five days later.

From BBC

Mr Quinn stumbled to a nearby street where he received helped before being taken to hospital.

From BBC

A TV and media personality in Japan, it seemed a natural fit, only she didn’t take to the competitive pace of Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

But you seemed genuine in the care you were taking to discuss a complicated topic.

From Los Angeles Times

The hospital did not respond when asked what steps it had taken to ensure the safety of patients during this time.

From BBC

Related Words

• accept 
• advocate 
• appreciate 
• approve 
• back 
• champion 
• choose 
• encourage 
• endorse 
• pick 
• praise 
• support