English

Verb

take a liking to

1. To develop a fondness for.
   • 1748, John Cleland, Fanny Hill: Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, page 33:

     He met casually with this Polly once in company, and taking a liking to her, makes it worth her while to keep entirely to him.

   • 1894, Justin McCarthy, Red diamonds, page 94:

     I don't know whether it does you credit or the reverse that I should have taken a liking to you.

   • 2006, Marc Eliot, Jimmy Stewart: A Biography:

     He had taken a liking to Osgood Perkins and was fascinated by Perkins's understated but effective style of acting.