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]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lift off

For those with a minimum height of 34 inches, this is a casual, patient experience, one in which seated guests will gently lift off into the air for a slightly elevated view of the land.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 2026

As the ice thinned, this smooth foundation allowed large sections to lift off the ground and float, triggering an unusual and sudden calving event.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 26, 2026

"There's a lot going on in space for internet connectivity," says Moeller, speaking to the BBC from French Guiana, where he'd just witnessed Ariane 6 lift off.

From BBC ● Feb. 23, 2026

Another member of the ESA's 2022 astronaut class, Belgium's Raphael Liegeois, told AFP he felt "raw emotion" watching Adenot lift off.

From Barron's ● Feb. 13, 2026

But I could lift off the top and take out my survey.

From "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher