What Does โTake against sthโ Mean?
โTake against sthโ means to begin to dislike or feel hostile towards something or someone. It usually describes a sudden or growing negative feeling.
Introduction
The phrasal verb โtake against sthโ is often used when someone starts to dislike or have a grudge against a person, idea, or thing. Understanding the โtake against sth meaningโ helps English learners express feelings of disapproval or dislike clearly. It is commonly used in everyday conversations to describe a change in attitude or feelings. This phrase is important because it communicates emotions that are often subtle but impactful in relationships and social interactions.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: take against something
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to begin to dislike or feel hostile to someone or something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โTake against sthโ is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot separate the verb and the particle with an object.
Pattern: take + against + object
Correct: She took against him quickly.
Incorrect: She took him against quickly.
How to Use Take against sth?
Use โtake against sthโ to express when someone starts to dislike or have negative feelings toward a person, idea, or thing. It often implies a gradual or sudden change in attitude. It is usually followed by a noun or pronoun.
Examples of objects include people, habits, ideas, or situations.
Examples
When my friend started ignoring me, I took against him without any real reason. It happens sometimes when feelings change unexpectedly.
- She took against the new rules immediately.
- He took against the manager after the unfair decision.
- They took against the idea of moving to a new city.
- My parents took against my choice of career.
- Itโs common to take against someone after a disagreement.
These examples show how to use โtake against sth in a sentenceโ naturally.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the word order or use the wrong preposition. For example, saying โtake on againstโ or separating the verb and particle incorrectly.
- Incorrect: She took him against because of his attitude.
- Correct: She took against him because of his attitude.
- Incorrect: They took against quickly the new policy.
- Correct: They took against the new policy quickly.
Differences / Synonyms
โTake against sthโ is similar to โdislikeโ or โbecome hostile to,โ but it often implies a personal or emotional reason behind the feeling.
- Take against sth โ start to dislike or feel hostile (usually personal)
- Dislike โ general feeling of not liking
- Grow apart โ distance emotionally over time (usually about relationships)
- Turn against โ actively oppose or become hostile
For example, โHe took against her after the argumentโ is more personal and emotional than just โHe disliked her.โ
Common Collocations
People often use โtake againstโ with specific objects. This helps express clear feelings of dislike or hostility.
- Take against a person: to dislike someone personally
- Take against a rule/law: to oppose or dislike a regulation
- Take against an idea: to reject a thought or plan
- Take against a habit: to dislike a behavior or routine
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of take against sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Imagine two friends talking about a new teacher at school.
Anna: I think Mr. Smith is really strict.
Ben: Yeah, I took against him after the first class.
Anna: Me too. His rules are hard to follow.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of the phrasal verb.
- She _____ against the new dress code immediately.
- They _____ against their neighbor after the loud party.
- He _____ against the idea of working late every day.
Answers: took, took, took
FAQ
- Q: Can โtake against sthโ be used in the past tense?
A: Yes, the past tense is โtook against.โ - Q: Is โtake against sthโ formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Can it be used with things as well as people?
A: Yes, you can take against people, ideas, rules, and habits. - Q: Is โtake againstโ separable?
A: No, it is inseparable. The object always follows โagainst.โ - Q: What is the difference between โtake againstโ and โturn againstโ?
A: โTake againstโ means to start disliking, while โturn againstโ implies a stronger, active opposition.
