take a cotton to

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

1. (US, colloquial) Synonym of take a shine to (“to become fond of something”)
   • 2016, Mae Clair, A Thousand Yesteryears:

     “Girl ain't never taken a cotton to me,” Doreen Sue said with another dismissive wave of her hand. “Thinks she's better than me is what it boils down to.”