take\ to

v

1. To go to or into; get yourself quickly to.

- Often used in the imperative.

Take to the hills! the bandits are coming!

We took to the woods during the day so no one would see us.

Take to the boats! the ship is sinking.

We stopped at a hotel for the night but took to the road again the next morning.

2. To begin the work or job of; make a habit of.

He took to repairing watches in his spare time.

She took to knitting when she got older.

Grandfather took to smoking cigars when he was young and he still smokes them.

Uncle Willie took to drink while he was a sailor.

The cat took to jumping on the table at mealtime.

3. To learn easily; do well at.

Father tried to teach John to swim, but John didn't take to it.

Mary takes to mathematics like a duck takes to water.

4. To like at first meeting; be pleased by or attracted to; accept quickly.

Our dog always takes to children quickly.

Mary didn't take kindly to the new rule that her mother made of being home at 6 o'clock.