Master phrasal verbs about likes and dislikes! Learn natural English expressions to talk about what you enjoy—or can’t stand—in everyday life.
Introduction
Talking about what we like or dislike is one of the most natural parts of conversation. After all, don’t we spend half our lives telling friends about the songs we love, the foods we can’t stand, or the people we click with?
But here’s the catch: in English, native speakers often use phrasal verbs—those little verb + preposition combos—to describe likes and dislikes. And if you’re not familiar with them, you might feel a little lost.
This month, we’re diving deep into some of the most common phrasal verbs you can use to share your tastes, passions, and pet peeves. By the end of this guide, you’ll not only know them but also feel confident using them in real conversations.
Why Use Phrasal Verbs for Likes and Dislikes?
Phrasal verbs are everywhere in English. They’re short, flexible, and sound natural. Instead of saying, “I like surfing,” a native speaker might say, “I’m really into surfing.”
Using phrasal verbs makes your English sound:
- More natural and less textbook-like.
- Closer to how native speakers really talk.
- Fun and expressive—you’ve got more shades of meaning.
Essential Phrasal Verbs for Likes and Dislikes
Let’s break them down one by one, with clear explanations and examples.
1. Grow On
If something grows on you, it means you didn’t like it at first, but over time you started to enjoy it.
👉 Example:
- “I didn’t like that TV show at first, but it’s starting to grow on me.”
- “At first, I wasn’t a fan of jazz music, but now it’s really grown on me.”
This is perfect for things like music, food, hobbies, or even people you slowly warm up to.
2. Get On With
To get on with someone means to have a good relationship with them. It’s not about romance—it’s about harmony.
👉 Example:
- “Ben and Samantha get on really well and often go out together.”
- “Do you get on with your new colleagues?”
Notice how it’s used almost exclusively for people, not objects.
3. Take To Someone
When you take to someone, it means you liked them right away. It’s the opposite of “warming up slowly”—this is instant positive connection.
👉 Example:
- “I took to her from the moment I first met her.”
- “He really took to his new teacher; they bonded immediately.”
This is friendly, not necessarily romantic.
4. Be Into Something
If you are into something, you really like it. This is one of the most common phrasal verbs in spoken English.
👉 Example:
- “He’s really into surfing and skateboarding.”
- “Are you into horror movies?”
Simple, modern, and used constantly by young people.
5. Go Off Something
To go off something means you used to like it, but now you don’t.
👉 Example:
- “I used to like that band when they were unknown, but I’ve gone off them now they’re famous.”
- “She went off chocolate after eating too much one Easter.”
It’s the perfect phrase to describe how our tastes change.
6. Look Forward To Something
When you look forward to something, you feel excited about it in the future.
👉 Example:
- “I’m really looking forward to your party next week.”
- “She’s looking forward to her summer vacation.”
It’s a polite way to show enthusiasm in both personal and professional settings.
7. Get Into Something
To get into something means you didn’t like it before, but you’ve started to enjoy it.
👉 Example:
- “I didn’t like yoga at first, but now I’m really getting into it.”
- “He’s recently got into painting.”
This is especially useful for hobbies or new experiences.
8. End Up
When you end up liking something, it means you didn’t expect to like it, but surprisingly you did.
👉 Example:
- “I wasn’t keen on seeing that film, but I ended up quite liking it.”
- “We went to that restaurant by accident, but we ended up loving the food.”
It often carries the idea of surprise or accident.
Phrasal Verbs in Action: Example Sentences
Let’s put these expressions into more natural situations:
- “That song didn’t impress me at first, but it’s grown on me.”
- “I get on with my flatmates really well—we cook together most nights.”
- “I took to my new boss straight away; she’s so supportive.”
- “Are you into photography? I’ve just bought a new camera.”
- “I’ve gone off fast food—it makes me feel sluggish.”
- “I’m looking forward to our holiday in Spain.”
- “He got into chess after watching that Netflix series.”
- “We ended up liking that little café more than the fancy restaurant.”
Quick Exercises
Want to practice? Complete the sentences with the phrasal verbs above:
- I wasn’t sure about the TV series, but it really ________ me after a few episodes.
- I don’t really ________ horror movies—they’re too scary for me.
- My best friend and I really ________ each other; we’ve been close since high school.
- At first, I didn’t like her much, but I quickly ________ her.
- I used to eat burgers every week, but I’ve ________ them now.
- I can’t wait for the weekend—I’m really ________ it.
- He wasn’t interested in art before, but he’s started to ________ it lately.
- I didn’t want to go hiking, but I ________ enjoying it.
Tips to Master Phrasal Verbs
- Practice in context. Don’t just memorize—use them in real conversations.
- Listen to native speakers. Movies, podcasts, and YouTube are full of phrasal verbs.
- Write mini-dialogues. Create short conversations where you practice several at once.
- Don’t panic. It’s okay if you don’t remember them all. Start with two or three and build up.
FAQ
Q1: Are phrasal verbs formal or informal?
Most are informal and used in daily conversation, but some—like look forward to—work in formal writing too.
Q2: Can phrasal verbs replace regular verbs?
Sometimes. For example, instead of saying “I like yoga,” you might say “I’m into yoga.” But the nuance is slightly different.
Q3: Do all native speakers use these phrasal verbs?
Yes, absolutely. They’re a key part of spoken English across the UK, US, and beyond.
Q4: How many phrasal verbs exist in English?
Hundreds—probably over 1,000. But don’t worry, you don’t need them all. Start with the common ones.
Q5: What’s the difference between get into and be into?
Get into is when you start liking something. Be into is when you already like it.
Conclusion
Likes and dislikes shape who we are—and phrasal verbs are the perfect tools to express them in English. Whether something grows on you, you suddenly take to someone, or you’ve completely gone off a hobby, these phrases make your conversations richer and more natural.
So, next time someone asks what kind of music, food, or activities you enjoy, don’t just stick to “I like” or “I don’t like.” Sprinkle in some of these phrasal verbs and watch how much more fluent—and authentic—you sound.
After all, learning English isn’t just about grammar; it’s about connecting. And nothing connects people faster than sharing what we love—and what we can’t stand.
Phrasal Verbs Likes & Dislikes: How to Talk About What You Love (and Hate)
Master phrasal verbs about likes and dislikes! Learn natural English expressions to talk about what you enjoy—or can’t stand—in everyday life.
Introduction
Talking about what we like or dislike is one of the most natural parts of conversation. After all, don’t we spend half our lives telling friends about the songs we love, the foods we can’t stand, or the people we click with?
But here’s the catch: in English, native speakers often use phrasal verbs—those little verb + preposition combos—to describe likes and dislikes. And if you’re not familiar with them, you might feel a little lost.
This month, we’re diving deep into some of the most common phrasal verbs you can use to share your tastes, passions, and pet peeves. By the end of this guide, you’ll not only know them but also feel confident using them in real conversations.
Why Use Phrasal Verbs for Likes and Dislikes?
Phrasal verbs are everywhere in English. They’re short, flexible, and sound natural. Instead of saying, “I like surfing,” a native speaker might say, “I’m really into surfing.”
Using phrasal verbs makes your English sound:
- More natural and less textbook-like.
- Closer to how native speakers really talk.
- Fun and expressive—you’ve got more shades of meaning.
Essential Phrasal Verbs for Likes and Dislikes
Let’s break them down one by one, with clear explanations and examples.
1. Grow On
If something grows on you, it means you didn’t like it at first, but over time you started to enjoy it.
👉 Example:
- “I didn’t like that TV show at first, but it’s starting to grow on me.”
- “At first, I wasn’t a fan of jazz music, but now it’s really grown on me.”
This is perfect for things like music, food, hobbies, or even people you slowly warm up to.
2. Get On With
To get on with someone means to have a good relationship with them. It’s not about romance—it’s about harmony.
👉 Example:
- “Ben and Samantha get on really well and often go out together.”
- “Do you get on with your new colleagues?”
Notice how it’s used almost exclusively for people, not objects.
3. Take To Someone
When you take to someone, it means you liked them right away. It’s the opposite of “warming up slowly”—this is instant positive connection.
👉 Example:
- “I took to her from the moment I first met her.”
- “He really took to his new teacher; they bonded immediately.”
This is friendly, not necessarily romantic.
4. Be Into Something
If you are into something, you really like it. This is one of the most common phrasal verbs in spoken English.
👉 Example:
- “He’s really into surfing and skateboarding.”
- “Are you into horror movies?”
Simple, modern, and used constantly by young people.
5. Go Off Something
To go off something means you used to like it, but now you don’t.
👉 Example:
- “I used to like that band when they were unknown, but I’ve gone off them now they’re famous.”
- “She went off chocolate after eating too much one Easter.”
It’s the perfect phrase to describe how our tastes change.
6. Look Forward To Something
When you look forward to something, you feel excited about it in the future.
👉 Example:
- “I’m really looking forward to your party next week.”
- “She’s looking forward to her summer vacation.”
It’s a polite way to show enthusiasm in both personal and professional settings.
7. Get Into Something
To get into something means you didn’t like it before, but you’ve started to enjoy it.
👉 Example:
- “I didn’t like yoga at first, but now I’m really getting into it.”
- “He’s recently got into painting.”
This is especially useful for hobbies or new experiences.
8. End Up
When you end up liking something, it means you didn’t expect to like it, but surprisingly you did.
👉 Example:
- “I wasn’t keen on seeing that film, but I ended up quite liking it.”
- “We went to that restaurant by accident, but we ended up loving the food.”
It often carries the idea of surprise or accident.
Phrasal Verbs in Action: Example Sentences
Let’s put these expressions into more natural situations:
- “That song didn’t impress me at first, but it’s grown on me.”
- “I get on with my flatmates really well—we cook together most nights.”
- “I took to my new boss straight away; she’s so supportive.”
- “Are you into photography? I’ve just bought a new camera.”
- “I’ve gone off fast food—it makes me feel sluggish.”
- “I’m looking forward to our holiday in Spain.”
- “He got into chess after watching that Netflix series.”
- “We ended up liking that little café more than the fancy restaurant.”
Quick Exercises
Want to practice? Complete the sentences with the phrasal verbs above:
- I wasn’t sure about the TV series, but it really ________ me after a few episodes.
- I don’t really ________ horror movies—they’re too scary for me.
- My best friend and I really ________ each other; we’ve been close since high school.
- At first, I didn’t like her much, but I quickly ________ her.
- I used to eat burgers every week, but I’ve ________ them now.
- I can’t wait for the weekend—I’m really ________ it.
- He wasn’t interested in art before, but he’s started to ________ it lately.
- I didn’t want to go hiking, but I ________ enjoying it.
Tips to Master Phrasal Verbs
- Practice in context. Don’t just memorize—use them in real conversations.
- Listen to native speakers. Movies, podcasts, and YouTube are full of phrasal verbs.
- Write mini-dialogues. Create short conversations where you practice several at once.
- Don’t panic. It’s okay if you don’t remember them all. Start with two or three and build up.
FAQ
Q1: Are phrasal verbs formal or informal?
Most are informal and used in daily conversation, but some—like look forward to—work in formal writing too.
Q2: Can phrasal verbs replace regular verbs?
Sometimes. For example, instead of saying “I like yoga,” you might say “I’m into yoga.” But the nuance is slightly different.
Q3: Do all native speakers use these phrasal verbs?
Yes, absolutely. They’re a key part of spoken English across the UK, US, and beyond.
Q4: How many phrasal verbs exist in English?
Hundreds—probably over 1,000. But don’t worry, you don’t need them all. Start with the common ones.
Q5: What’s the difference between get into and be into?
Get into is when you start liking something. Be into is when you already like it.
Conclusion
Likes and dislikes shape who we are—and phrasal verbs are the perfect tools to express them in English. Whether something grows on you, you suddenly take to someone, or you’ve completely gone off a hobby, these phrases make your conversations richer and more natural.
So, next time someone asks what kind of music, food, or activities you enjoy, don’t just stick to “I like” or “I don’t like.” Sprinkle in some of these phrasal verbs and watch how much more fluent—and authentic—you sound.
After all, learning English isn’t just about grammar; it’s about connecting. And nothing connects people faster than sharing what we love—and what we can’t stand.
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