Planes racing down the runway, small businesses suddenly trending, or a song gaining millions of streams overnight—these moments share one thing in common: they all take off. The idiom “take off” captures the excitement of sudden movement or rapid success in English, whether literal or figurative. In this post, we’ll dive into its meanings, origins, real-life examples, and similar idioms that make your language more vivid and expressive.
Meaning of "Take Off"
“Take off” is a versatile idiom used in multiple contexts. Here’s a breakdown:
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Rise into the air (literal): Refers to airplanes, helicopters, birds, or any object leaving the ground. Example: The helicopter took off as the sun peeked over the hills.
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Gain sudden success (figurative): Describes ideas, businesses, projects, or careers that gain popularity or momentum quickly. Example: Her podcast took off after being featured on a popular blog.
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Leave quickly (informal): Someone departing in a hurry. Example: He took off as soon as the meeting ended.
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Remove something (physical): Usually clothing or accessories; casual context. Example: She took off her coat before sitting down.
Summary definition: “Take off” describes lifting, sudden success, or a rapid departure depending on the context.
This idiom is especially useful in English because it can be applied in both formal and informal situations. You can talk about literal flight, a booming business, or someone quickly leaving a party using the same phrase.
Origin of "Take Off"
The origins of “take off” date back to the 1500s, where it was first used to describe objects physically leaving the ground. It was a literal expression for something lifting or departing.
By the early 20th century, the phrase had developed figurative uses, particularly inspired by aviation. Just as an airplane lifts from the runway with energy and speed, people began using “take off” to describe ideas, projects, or careers that suddenly gain momentum.
One popular theory suggests that this figurative shift occurred in business contexts first. Entrepreneurs and writers compared a project’s rapid success to an airplane’s lift-off, and over time, the idiom became widely accepted in everyday English. Today, it’s used globally in both casual conversation and professional writing.
Examples in Sentences
Here are several examples showing the idiom in action across different contexts:
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Literal (aircraft): The private jet took off smoothly despite the strong winds.
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Business/Success: After launching on TikTok, her artwork took off, attracting thousands of fans.
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Leaving quickly: When the fire alarm rang, the students took off running down the hallway.
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Removing items: He took off his glasses before diving into the book.
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Casual conversation: The new dance challenge took off overnight—it’s trending everywhere!
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Career progression: His acting career took off after starring in a hit series, opening doors to international fame.
Notice how versatile this idiom is. You can use it to describe sudden movement, quick success, or a literal action like removing clothing or leaving a place.
Similar Idioms or Phrases
Several idioms and phrases share meanings with “take off”, especially in describing rapid growth or movement:
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Skyrocket: Refers to sudden growth or increase, often in numbers, prices, or popularity. Example: Sales skyrocketed after the ad campaign.
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Shoot up: Similar to skyrocket; implies rapid growth or sudden appearance. Example: Online subscriptions shot up after the free trial was introduced.
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Lift off: Literally refers to rockets or spacecraft, but figuratively can describe a strong start. Example: The startup finally lifted off after receiving funding.
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Break out: Something becomes suddenly popular or widespread. Example: A new fashion trend broke out last summer.
These phrases can often be used interchangeably with “take off”, but each carries slightly different nuances. For instance, “skyrocket” usually refers to numbers or statistics, while “take off” works more broadly for both literal and figurative contexts.
I often find “take off” one of the most exciting idioms to use. It’s dynamic, energetic, and visually evocative. When I describe a creative project that gains sudden momentum, saying it “took off” feels almost like watching a rocket launch. It’s simple, versatile, and adds life to both spoken and written English.
The idiom “take off” is one of those expressions that makes English feel alive. Whether describing a plane lifting into the sky, a career reaching new heights, or an idea gaining popularity, it’s a phrase full of energy and motion. Use it in your writing and conversations, and your English will take off alongside it!