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What does it mean to "take to" something?

Question
What is the meaning of "took right to something" as in "It was amazing how some of them took right to the sport"?  — Rusydi, Indonesia
Answer

To "take to (something or someone)" means to begin to like that thing or person, or to begin doing something easily. If someone "took right to the sport" it means that person learned how to play the sport quickly and easily. If someone "took to the new student on the first day of class" it means that person liked the new student on the first day of class. Below are some example sentences using the phrasal verb "take to."

  • She quickly took to tap dancing. [=she learned to tap dance quickly and easily]
  • He took to the new job instantly. [=he instantly liked the job and was good at it]
  • The couple quickly took to married life. [=they quickly and easily enjoyed living as a married couple]
  • Kids take to new routines quickly. [=kids quickly learn new routines and follow them with ease]
  • They hoped their dog would take to the new kitten. [=they hoped the dog would like the new kitten]
  • The boy took to his baby sister right away. [=the boy liked his baby sister right away]

 

There are many ways the verb "take" can be used, and it is used in many idioms and phrasal verbs, so don’t worry if it still seems like a tricky word. This is just one way it is used.

I hope this helps.

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