1.
When an aeroplane takes off , it leaves the ground and starts flying.
We eventually took off at 11 o’clock and arrived in Venice at 1.30.
≠ land
PHRASAL VERB : V P
2.
If something such as a product, an activity, or someone’s career takes off , it suddenly becomes very successful.
In 1944, he met Edith Piaf, and his career took off.
PHRASAL VERB : V P
3.
If you take off or take yourself off , you go away, often suddenly and unexpectedly.
He took off at once and headed back to the motel...
He took himself off to Mexico.
PHRASAL VERB : V P , V pron-refl P
4.
If you take a garment off , you remove it.
He wouldn’t take his hat off...
She took off her spectacles.
≠ put on
PHRASAL VERB : V n P , V P n (not pron)
5.
If you take time off , you obtain permission not to go to work for a short period of time.
Mitchel’s schedule had not permitted him to take time off...
She took two days off work.
PHRASAL VERB : V n P , V n P n
6.
If you take someone off , you make them go with you to a particular place, especially when they do not want to go there.
The police stopped her and took her off to a police station...
= take away
PHRASAL VERB : V n P prep / adv
7.
If you take someone off , you imitate them and the things that they do and say, in such a way that you make other people laugh. ( mainly BRIT )
Mike can take off his father to perfection.
= mimic
PHRASAL VERB : V P n (not pron) , also V n P
8.
see also takeoff