take a liking to

take a liking to (third-person singular simple present takes a liking to, present participle taking a liking to, simple past took a liking to, past participle taken a liking to)

1. To develop a fondness for; to become infatuated with.
   • 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.

• take a shine to