take off

You can use it for travel, like The plane takes off at noon. You can also use it for people, like I need to take off now. It is also great for success. If a new business becomes popular quickly, we say it really took off. Just remember that the past tense is took off and the continuous is taking off.

Use it when you are in a hurry to leave a party. Use it when you are talking about your flight schedule. It is perfect for describing a sudden trend, like a new app. Use it when you are removing clothes, like take off your coat. It feels natural in almost any daily conversation.

Do not use it for slow, gradual departures. If you are slowly walking away, take off sounds too fast. Avoid using it in very stiff, legal documents. In those cases, use depart. Also, do not confuse it with get off, which is for exiting a bus or train. Don't say you took off the bus unless you were flying it!

This phrase grew with the aviation age in the early 20th century. As flight became a part of life, the language followed. It captures the modern obsession with speed and success. In Western culture, taking off is almost always seen as something positive and exciting. It represents a fresh start or a big win.

You might hear take-off as a noun, referring to the moment a plane leaves. There is also take off after someone, which means to chase them. If you take time off, you are taking a break from work. Each version keeps that core idea of removing yourself from a situation.