take against
C1Informal, chiefly British
Definition
Meaning
To begin to dislike or feel hostile towards someone or something, often for a reason that seems insufficient to others.
To form a sudden or unexplained prejudice or antipathy; to develop an aversion, often based on an initial impression or minor incident.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A phrasal verb implying the start of a negative feeling, not a sustained hatred. Often used when the dislike is perceived as irrational or hastily formed. Typically transitive, followed by a person or thing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Predominantly used in British English. In American English, 'take a dislike to' or 'take an instant dislike to' are far more common for the same concept.
Connotations
In British usage, it can carry a slight nuance of stubbornness or an unchanging negative opinion once formed.
Frequency
Common in UK spoken and written English (especially narrative). Rare in contemporary US English, where it might sound dated or British.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + take against + [Object (Person/Thing)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take an instant against (someone)”
- “Have taken against (something)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. 'The new director took against the proposed merger from the start.'
Academic
Very rare. More likely in literary analysis or historical narrative.
Everyday
Common in UK informal conversation. 'I don't know why, but I just took against him the moment we met.'
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The neighbours seem to have taken against our dog.
- He took against the plan after hearing one minor criticism.
American English
- (US speakers would typically say) She took an instant dislike to the new policy.
- He conceived a prejudice against the idea.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I think the teacher has taken against me for some reason.
- My cat took against the new vet immediately.
- For no apparent reason, the committee chair took against the proposal and argued against it vehemently.
- She's the kind of person who can take against someone based on a mere rumour.
- His initial enthusiasm waned after he took against the lead developer's management style.
- Historians note that the king took against his most able advisor, a decision that would later cost him dearly.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone TAKing a photo of a person, then drawing a big 'AGAINST' vote 'X' over their face. They've 'taken a picture' of their negative feeling.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISLIKE IS A POSSESSION (you 'take' it and hold it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'брать против'.
- It is not 'to be against' (быть против), which is a state. This is the *act of beginning* to be against.
- Closest equivalent: 'взять в неприязнь', 'не взлюбить с первого взгляда'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in the continuous form (*I am taking against him*). It describes an inception, not an ongoing process.
- Using it without an object (*She just took against*).
- Confusing it with 'take offence at', which is a reaction to a specific action.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'take against' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily used in informal or narrative contexts, especially in British English.
It's very uncommon. The verb describes the inception of a feeling, not the ongoing process of disliking. Use simple past or present perfect.
'Take a dislike to' (e.g., 'She took a dislike to him') is the standard American phrasing.
Yes, it is a transitive phrasal verb. You must specify what or whom the dislike is directed towards (e.g., take against *someone/something*).