Definition

1. Verb (Intransitive):

   • To leave the ground and begin flight: Used primarily for aircraft, rockets, or birds.
   • To become suddenly successful or popular: To start to improve or succeed rapidly.
   • To leave a place, especially suddenly or hurriedly: To depart.

2. Verb (Transitive):

   • To remove something, especially clothing: To detach or peel off an item.
   • To deduct or subtract an amount: To remove a quantity from a total.
   • To mimic or imitate someone humorously or satirically: To copy someone's mannerisms for comic effect.
   • To take time away from work or duty: To have a period of leave or vacation.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Intransitive):

  • The plane will take off in ten minutes.
  • Her singing career really took off after that viral video.
  • He took off without saying goodbye.

• Verb (Transitive):

  • Please take off your shoes before entering.
  • The manager took $20 off the price as a discount.
  • The comedian is brilliant at taking off famous politicians.
  • I need to take a few days off next month.

Advanced Usage

• "to take off from something": to use something as a starting point or inspiration, often in a creative or derivative way.

  • The film's plot takes off from an ancient myth.

• "to take the edge off": to make something less intense, severe, or unpleasant.

  • A cup of tea can take the edge off your anxiety.

Variants and Related Words

• Takeoff (n): The action of an aircraft leaving the ground; also, a humorous imitation.

  • The takeoff was smooth.
  • He did a hilarious takeoff of the CEO.

• Taken off (adj, past participle): Describing something that has been removed or has become successful.

  • The product has taken off in Asian markets.

Synonyms

• Lift off: To begin flight (for rockets, spacecraft).
• Remove: To take away or off.
• Deduct: To subtract an amount.
• Imitate: To copy the behavior or style of.
• Depart: To leave.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Take off after (someone/something): To begin to chase or pursue.

  • The dog took off after the squirrel.

• Take (someone) off (something): To remove someone from a duty, medication, etc.

  • The doctor took her off the strong painkillers.

Related Idioms

• Ready for takeoff: Prepared and eager to begin something successfully.

  • With the new funding, our startup is ready for takeoff.

• Take the heat off (someone): To reduce criticism or pressure on someone.

  • The new policy should take the heat off the management team.

Verb

1. make a subtraction
   • subtract this amount from my paycheck
2. prove fatal
   • The disease took off
3. get started or set in motion, used figuratively
   • the project took a long time to get off the ground
4. remove clothes
   • take off your shirt--it's very hot in here
5. mimic or imitate in an amusing or satirical manner
   • This song takes off from a famous aria
6. take time off from work; stop working temporarily
7. depart from the ground
   • The plane took off two hours late
8. take away or remove
   • Take that weight off me!
9. leave
   • The family took off for Florida