I. verb
Etymology: Middle English taken of, from taken to take + of off
transitive verb
1. : to remove from a position on something or the condition of being attached to or part of something (as by lifting, pulling, cutting, or breaking off or by subtracting or deducting)
took his shoes off and put on his slippers
chinook winds … took off as much as a foot of snow in 24 hours — E.B.Crane
gave up trying to drive a car after taking off a fender — T.P.Whitney
preparation takes paint off in one application
system for taking off honey — Guy Diemer
as
a. : release
take the brake off
b. : discontinue , withdraw
play was taken off after three performances
company announced that it would take two evening trains off
c. : to pick up and take along (as from a ship or an island)
put in to take some stranded seamen off
steamer calls once a week to take off mail
d.
(1) : to take or allow as a discount
take 10 percent off for cash
(2) : to except, omit, or withhold from service owed or from time being spent or usually spent in a particular way (as at one's occupation)
looking for any excuse to take an hour off — Lillian Hellman
took two weeks off in August
usually played golf on Sunday but decided to take that Sunday off
took a few minutes off to rest
2. : to remove the burden of
take off a tax
promised to take the restrictions off
3. : to put an end to : do away with
turn up the furnace long enough to take the chill off
poured in a small jug of raw cream — this, as they said, took off the greasiness — Paul Jennings
4. : to take the life of
disease appeared … and without respect of persons or neighborhoods, took off young and old — American Guide Series: Delaware
pneumonia took him off in his prime
5. : to drink down
took a pint of beer off without lowering his glass
6.
a. : to copy from an original : reproduce
take off a hundred copies
b. : to make a likeness of : portray
took off his head and shoulders in charcoal
c. : to imitate especially so as to parody or burlesque : mimic
mannerisms that his critics delighted in taking off
d. : to take down from a receiving apparatus
take off a telegram
7.
a. : to measure off or estimate in determining requirements (as of materials in building)
in taking off glass … even inches are used to describe the sizes — Building, Estimating & Contracting
b. : to calculate (as a quantity) with a calculating machine
take off a total
c. : prepare
take off a trial balance
8.
a. : to lead away
was taken off by the police
b. : to betake (oneself) from a place
takes himself off, then telegraphs home for money — Elizabeth Bowen
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to cause lessening or subtraction (as from the value of something) : detract : take away
b. of a tide, storm, or wind : to grow less : abate , decrease
2.
a. : to start off or away often suddenly : set out : depart , leave
took off in a radio command car — Bill Davidson
took off without comment, stamping down the steps — R.O.Case
took off downriver — Bernard De Voto
b.
(1) : to branch off (as from a main stream or stem)
pike taking off straight east is the Ramona Freeway — Ralph Friedman
occasionally … takes off from reality, and then he is at his best — Time
(2) : to take or have origin : derive , originate , stem
takes off from something observed or remembered — David Daiches
c. of a jumper, hurdler, or vaulter : to begin a leap or spring
d. of an airplane, rocket, or bird : to leave the surface of the land or water : begin flight
e. : to play a solo in jazz music that is characterized by wild improvisation and usually a fast rhythmic beat
f. : to take a narcotic drug
ritual of taking off was over and the drug was in his head — Hal Ellson
3. : to be removable
top takes off easily
II. verb
transitive verb
slang : rob
intransitive verb
: to undergo a rapid increase in growth or popularity
the business took off and has been flying high ever since — R.H.Jones