lift off

Idioms  

1. Begin flight, as in The spacecraft was due to lift off at ten o'clock. The off in this idiom means “off the ground.” [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

There are four ways of recovering energy: under braking; revving the engine in corners; lifting off early before a corner and harvesting while still on full throttle.

From BBC

The flowers on his skin were stirring, some lifting off as if responding to his great anxiety.

From Literature

He felt like someone had pounded a wedge into the back of his skull and was trying to lift off the top.

From Literature

His voice began to crack, but the rocket was lifting off now, and there was no turning back.

From Literature

Bea took more pictures as the cloud began to rise, lifting off from where it had chased them on the ground.

From Literature