What is "to take to"

Take \Take\, v. i.

1. To take hold; to fix upon anything; to have the natural or intended effect; to accomplish a purpose; as, he was inoculated, but the virus did not take.
   --Shak.

   When flame taketh and openeth, it giveth a noise.
   --Bacon.

   In impressions from mind to mind, the impression taketh, but is overcome . . . before it work any manifest effect.
   --Bacon.

2. To please; to gain reception; to succeed.

   Each wit may praise it for his own dear sake, And hint he writ it, if the thing should take.
   --Addison.

3. To move or direct the course; to resort; to betake one's self; to proceed; to go; -- usually with to; as, the fox, being hard pressed, took to the hedge.

4. To admit of being pictured, as in a photograph; as, his face does not take well. To take after.

   1. To learn to follow; to copy; to imitate; as, he takes after a good pattern.

   2. To resemble; as, the son takes after his father. To take in with, to resort to. [Obs.] --Bacon. To take on, to be violently affected; to express grief or pain in a violent manner. To take to.

      1. To apply one's self to; to be fond of; to become attached to; as, to take to evil practices. ``If he does but take to you, . . . you will contract a great friendship with him.''
         --Walpole.

      2. To resort to; to betake one's self to. ``Men of learning, who take to business, discharge it generally with greater honesty than men of the world.'' --Addison. To take up.

         1. To stop. [Obs.] ``Sinners at last take up and settle in a contempt of religion.''
            --Tillotson.

         2. To reform. [Obs.] --Locke. To take up with.

            1. To be contended to receive; to receive without opposition; to put up with; as, to take up with plain fare. ``In affairs which may have an extensive influence on our future happiness, we should not take up with probabilities.''
               --I. Watts.

            2. To lodge with; to dwell with. [Obs.]
               --L'Estrange.

               To take with, to please.
               --Bacon.