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

See Examples For:

lift off

The rescue spacecraft developed by the US startup Katalyst is slated to lift off Tuesday at 1023 GMT from a Pacific Ocean atoll aboard a small rocket named Pegasus.

From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026

Having the lower limit means drivers are forced to do more 'lift and coast' - when they lift off the accelerator and let the car run before braking for a corner.

From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2026

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

Because the glacier rested on a flat bed, large portions were able to lift off almost at once.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 26, 2026

The top of the bread was supposed to lift off in a perfect “V,” which was why Jimmy called it a V-cut.

From "When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead

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