What Does “Take against sb” Mean?
“Take against sb” means to begin to dislike someone for a reason, often without a clear explanation.
Introduction
The phrasal verb take against sb is used when someone starts to dislike another person. It often happens suddenly or without a clear cause. This expression is common in everyday English and helps describe feelings that change over time. Understanding the take against sb meaning is useful for expressing emotions about relationships, whether in casual conversations or more formal settings.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: take against sb (take against somebody)
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to start disliking someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Take against sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means you cannot separate “take” and “against” with other words.
Common pattern:
- take + against + somebody
Example: She took against her new neighbor quickly.
How to Use Take against sb?
Use “take against sb” when you want to say that someone started disliking another person. It often suggests the feeling began without an obvious reason or after a specific event.
Usually, it talks about feelings that develop over time rather than immediate dislike.
Examples
Imagine two coworkers who used to get along well, but now one dislikes the other for no clear reason.
- He took against his colleague after the meeting.
- She took against her new teacher because of his strict rules.
- They took against the manager after the unexpected changes.
- Jim took against his roommate when he borrowed his things without asking.
- It’s strange how she took against her best friend so suddenly.
These show how to use take against sb in a sentence naturally.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse “take against sb” with other phrasal verbs or use it incorrectly.
- Incorrect: She took her against the new employee.
- Correct: She took against the new employee.
- Incorrect: I take against him for no reason.
- Correct: I took against him for no reason.
Remember, “take” is used in the past or present perfect tense when talking about feelings that started.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include fall out with and turn against.
- Take against sb means to start disliking someone, often without a clear reason.
- Fall out with means to have an argument and stop being friendly.
- Turn against means to change from liking to disliking, often strongly.
While these are close, take against sb is softer and focuses on the feeling beginning rather than an event.
Common Collocations
People often use “take against sb” with words that show who is disliked.
- neighbor – someone living nearby
- colleague – a workmate
- teacher – a person who teaches
- friend – a person with whom one has a bond
- partner – a spouse or romantic companion
These collocations make the phrase more natural and clear.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of take against sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a conversation between two friends talking about a change in feelings:
Anna: Have you noticed that Mike doesn’t like Sarah anymore?
Ben: Yes, he really took against her after that argument last week.
Anna: I wonder why. They used to be good friends.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of “take against sb”.
- He _______ against his new boss after the first day.
- They have _______ against each other for no clear reason.
- She didn’t like him at first, but later she _______ against him.
Answers: took, taken, took
FAQ
- Q: Can “take against sb” be used in present tense?
A: It is mostly used in past or present perfect tense because it refers to feelings that start.
- Q: Is “take against sb” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
- Q: Can I say “take against someone” for animals?
A: It is usually used for people, not animals.
- Q: What is the difference between “take against” and “fall out with”?
“Take against” means start disliking someone quietly, while “fall out with” means having a fight or argument.
- Q: Can “take against” be used with objects?
No, it is only used with people.
