In phrases, TO BEGIN TO ONE = to pledge a person first in drinking; TO BEGIN ON ONE = to attack; to assault.
1628. EARLE, Microcosmographie, lxxvi. That is kind o’er his beer, and protests he loves you, and BEGINS TO YOU again.
1651. CARTWRIGHT, The Siedge.
| You shall have | |
| This lord come profer you his daughter, this | |
| Burgesse his wife, and that unskilfull youth | |
| Pray you BEGIN TO HIM in ’s trembling bride. |
d. 1656. JOSEPH HALL, Works, V. 171. Can ye drink of that bitter cup wherein I shall BEGIN TO YOU?
1715. BURNET, History of My Own Times, II, 117. At Sandcroft’s Consecration dinner, he BEGAN a health TO the confusion of all that were not for a war with France.
1825. M. M. SHERWOOD, Joan; or, Trustworthy, Part II. All the company BEGAN UPON her, and bade her mind her own affairs, and not think of housekeepering it over them.
