take against
B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words
Start to dislike someone, sometimes for no clear reason
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To develop a dislike for someone, often suddenly or without obvious reason
"For some reason, the teacher seemed to take against him from the very first day of term."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Primarily British English. Implies a somewhat irrational or instinctive dislike that develops over time. The object is always a person. Not typically used for disliking objects or situations.
Commonly used with
person stranger colleague neighbor immediately instinctively
Forms
Base
take against
I/you/we/they
3rd person
takes against
he/she/it
Past simple
took against
yesterday
Past participle
taken against
have + pp
-ing form
taking against
continuous
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