Englishtake a shine to someone or something
Meaning: To like someone spontaneously.
Example: “The old cat has taken a shine to our new neighbor.”
Equivalents in other languages
Spanish: caer en gracia Literally: To fall in grace
Origin: American, first attested in 1830 in written imitations of New England dialect and appearing in print by 1839, but its precise origin has genuinely been lost despite the phrase remaining current, mostly in the United States, to this day. The best available lead points to an earlier expression, "to shine up to someone," 19th-century slang for deliberately ingratiating yourself with someone, especially a romantic interest, through consistently pleasant, attentive behavior. "Shine" itself carries an old and natural association with warmth, brightness, and favor — casting a figurative light of attention or affection on someone captures the same idea whether the light is being deliberately cast, in the older courtship phrase, or simply happens to fall, in the modern, more general one.
More English idioms
- talk a blue streak To talk fast and at length.
- talk through one's hat To speak without authority on some topic; to talk nonsense.
- tall order Something difficult to accomplish.
- tan someone's hide To spank a child's bottom as punishment.
- through thick and thin In good times and bad times; steadfastly and loyally.
- throw down the gauntlet To challenge someone to fight or argue.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Es un/una pesado/a A dreadful bore — their company feels like carrying extra weight.
- Más terco/a que una mula Hopelessly obstinate — no argument, fact, or force of nature will shift their position.
- Pareces un pulpo en un garaje You're completely out of place — flailing around uselessly in an environment that makes n…
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