take flight

Idioms

Also, take wing. Run away, flee, go away, as in When the militia arrived, the demonstrators took flight, or The tenant took wing before paying the rent. The first idiom derives from the earlier take one's flight, dating from the late 1300s, and was first recorded in 1435. The variant was first recorded in 1704.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The ducks are sitting or preening at the water, or about to take flight.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

Since 2007, the site has seen 26 chicks raised and in 2024 the team also created "runways" - areas of open space - to help the birds safely take flight.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Let’s see how those ratings hold up, if Beta shares take flight.

From Barron's • Dec. 1, 2025

When they did take flight, their attacks were brief -- most lasted under three minutes, and the average hunting flight just eight seconds.

From Science Daily • Nov. 1, 2025

After him!— before he can take flight to Pylos town or hide at Elis, under Epeian law!

From "The Odyssey" by Homer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

take flight

Example Sentences

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