He had to take a lot, perhaps, and didn't like it! (7)
I believe the answer is:
loathed
'lot perhaps and didn't like it' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'he had to take a' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'he' could be 'ed' (short for Edward) and 'ed' is located in the answer.
'a' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'loth' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for loathed that I've seen before include "Hated" , "'Abhorred, detested (7)'" , "Regarded with disgust and hatred" , "Cordially detested" , "Detested and abominated" .)