cottoned to
Grew to like
Cottoned to means took a liking to or developed an affinity for: She never really cottoned to city life.
The phrase suggests a gradual warming rather than instant attraction.
More common in American English and somewhat folksy or old-fashioned in tone.
Also appears as cotton to without the past tense: I don't cotton to strangers asking questions.
- warmed upPrepared through preliminary exercise
- likingPositive inclination toward
- took a liking toBegan to favor
- embracedHeld someone warmly
- comprehendedMentally absorbed meaning
grasped · fondness · appreciated · connected · befriended · adored · accepted · savored · fancied · affinity · cherished · admired · hit it off · relished · enjoyed · agreed with · saw eye to eye · acknowledged
affinity/liking
cottoned totook against
turned against · couldn't stand · rejected · spurned · loathed