Definition
English idiom – “take a shine to (someone)” ✨
This idiom means to like someone a lot immediately. It can mean to like someone in a friendly way or in a romantic way.
For example – “My new boss has really taken a shine to me and I think I might get a promotion soon.”
Clip 1
House M.D. – Season 7, Episode 5 (2010)
In this scene, a conversation is taking place between Dr. House and a female paediatric assistant Dr. Cheng. In the previous scene Dr. Cheng had assisted in diagnosing and treating a patient with liver and lung issues. The rest of the medical staff were extremely impressed by her capabilities and House tells her that the team “have taken a shine to” her.
This phrase is used due to Dr. Cheng being a new member of staff at the hospital and House is conveying to her that his team already like her a lot due to her contribution at the hospital.
Clip 2
Ozark – Season 4, Episode 12 (2022)
In this scene, a conversation is taking place between Judge Mayhew and one of the main characters of the series Ruth Lagmore (Julia Garner). Previously Ruth had made a deal with a wealthy businessman and political donor, Charles Wilkes, which involved stopping another main character of the series, Wendy Byrd, accessing a large amount of money from a foundation. Part of the plan involves Wilkes influencing Judge Mayhew to clear Ruth’s criminal record.
Mayhew visits Ruth and she is curious how Ruth, someone with a long list of criminal offences, became involved with a successful businessman like Wilkes. Ruth replies that “he took a shine to” her when she was working at the casino as a cover story for their plan.
Ruth uses the phrase to convey to Mayhew that Wilkes just immediately liked her when he first met her and there is no other reason for their involvement with each other.
Clip 3
What a girl wants (2003)
In this clip, Lord Henry Dashwood, portrayed by Colin Firth, remarks, “It’s the first time I’ve seen Princess Charlotte take a shine to anyone.” This line highlights the unexpected bond forming between his daughter Daphne Reynolds (Amanda Bynes) and the traditionally reserved Princess Charlotte.
The phrase is used by Dashwood to highlight that normally Princess Charlotte does not like anyone when she meets them for the first time and that his daughter is the only exception.
Clip 4
Two and a Half Men – Season 1, Episode 22 (2004)
In this scene, Charlie is trying to set his brother Allan up with a woman because he believes it will stop his constant sleepwalking at night. Allan is suspicious when two attractive women take an immediate romantic interest in him and Charlie at a bar and he asks Charlie if he paid them. Charlie responds that they “took a shine” to them as a way to deny this.
Charlie uses the phrase to convey to Allan that the women just had an immediate romantic interest in them both and there was no other reason for them being at their table apart from this.