take off

verb

1. (tr) to remove or discard (a garment)

2. (intr) (of an aircraft) to become airborne

3. informal,  to set out or cause to set out on a journey

   they took off for Spain

4. (tr) (of a disease) to prove fatal to; kill

5. informal,  (tr) to mimic or imitate, esp in an amusing or satirical manner

6. informal,  (intr) to become successful or popular, esp suddenly

noun

1. the act or process of making an aircraft airborne

2. the stage of a country's economic development when rapid and sustained economic growth is first achieved

3. informal,  an act of mimicry; imitation

Idioms and Phrases

Remove, as in Take off your coat and stay for a while , or I took my foot off the brake . [c. 1300]

Deduct, decrease, as in He took 20 percent off the original price , or I want you to trim my hair, but please don't take off too much . [c. 1700]

Carry or take away, as in The passengers were taken off one by one . [Late 1800s]

Also, take oneself off . Leave, go away, as in I'm taking off now , or We take ourselves off for China next month , or, as an imperative, Take yourself off right now! [First half of 1800s]

Move forward quickly, as in The dog took off after the car .

Become well known or popular, or achieve sudden growth, as in That actor's career has really taken off , or Sales took off around the holidays . [Mid-1900s]

Rise in flight, as in The airplane took off on time . [Mid-1800s]

Discontinue, as in The railroad took off the commuter special . [Mid-1700s]

Imitate humorously or satirically, as in He had a way of taking off the governor that made us howl with laughter . [Mid-1700s]

Withhold service, as in I'm taking off from work today because of the funeral . [First half of 1900s]

Related Words

• blast off 
• blow 
• depart 
• disappear 
• get off 
• get out 
• go 
• pull out 
• soar 
• withdraw