take off
/teɪk ɒf/
Meaning
For an aircraft, to leave the ground and begin to fly. In casual contexts, it can also mean to depart or leave a place suddenly.
Examples
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The plane is scheduled to take off at exactly 9:00 AM.
The plane is scheduled to take off at exactly 9:00 AM.
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Please fasten your seatbelt because we are about to take off.
Please fasten your seatbelt because we are about to take off.
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I watched the planes take off and land from the airport lounge.
I watched the planes take off and land from the airport lounge.
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Sorry, but I have to take off now or I'll miss my train.
Sorry, but I have to take off now or I'll miss my train.
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The pilot announced a slight delay before we could take off.
The pilot announced a slight delay before we could take off.
Common Mistakes
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✗ The plane took up on time.
✓ The plane took off on time.
The correct preposition for an aircraft leaving the ground is 'off', not 'up'.
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✗ I took off my shoes at the airport security.
✓ I took off my shoes at airport security.
While grammatically correct, removing clothes is a different meaning of 'take off'; for travel departures, keep the subject as the aircraft or yourself leaving.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Our flight is ready to ___, so please turn off your phones.
💡 Leave the ground.
Show answer
take off
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I've got an early meeting tomorrow, so I should ___ now.
💡 Leave the gathering.
Show answer
take off