Some ideas to explore (mostly for myself) what I meant from my own usage of language in light of learning in general and the word 'like' being interesting in itself in sentences...

It's also possible others can take something from it :)

Ok the word 'Like' used with another word OFTEN is easily misunderstood in speech and it's really clear to show here - but for fast talking or fast reading isn't always caught so catch it by seeing it !
It can totally can change a whole meaning of debate, argument, a sentence and instead trigger emotions which I hint to below.

Why did that person suddenly get emotional? Ah they didn't hear 'like' probably....

'Like' is similar to putting something in a totally different box of thought, so changes things almost completely (!)

I'm sure you don't need help but for anyone liking food for thought and improvement see if 'Like' in your life has happened in the same way when you had to say to someone "I didn't say it is xyz I said it's LIKE xyz!"
"I didn't say exactly that", "I meant it's LIKE xyz" - so helps everyone at some point I think including just me.

Let us begin...
"Like" in the sentence, especially at the beginning of my sentence means 'Similar to' or 'An action like another thing or situation or happening' ...

(in this case meaning:
'Like sparring but hugging afterwards'

...which translated means or in my way means:
having fun as if it were a pretend fight but not being bad with you and being happy at the end it was clear it wasn't for real or serious (the comment was indicating it was not meant to harm)

IT DOES NOT mean:
- a hug has happened or the total meaning applies (we are not sparring perhaps; we are not fighting, we are not hugging)... and it can be partially that or a gesture of
- it's a virtual (in mind) comparison to something that happens in sports often
- it is not always that which someone is suggesting IF they add like, but it is some part of it which is per-use of language and context (and perhaps as usual helps to say more about it)
- 'Like' before a word can be a partial taking from the next word (like in sports and like in sparring)
- Like can make the next word an unrealistic event or unrealistic happening (especially online), and not that it really happened but there is something similar in that
- Like takes it partially out of of this context but also uses some part of another context
- all cases of like not covered here, more the type that are relevant

So someone can read this but forget the "Like..." part!
I could be wrong and if I am let it be :)

This is all about exploring language and if there is some part anyone can take, take it :)

Inside the 'like' container (like as a virtual container and also part of a sentence) it shows how it's not totally something but partially what is trying to be indicated which can be a non-attacking gesture or clarification.

It could unclear to some people (for example non-sports people) or those that pick some words more than others (hugging)

Overall I often came across this in debate (my own experiences and others) where I / someone else has to repeat "Like! Like! Like! I didn't mean it is xyz but like in this way" because it's clear someone went muh more emotional that intended / needed/

"Like sparring but hugging afterwards" (no hugs are involved)

Online fake fighting or allowing another to joke is a type of friendliness or deliberately fake prowess (ok I'm overwriting here) but what it is it's in good spirit / light heart soon after to show it's not horrible in any way.

@bajax