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Definitions

take off

VERB
leave; leave the ground
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blast off blow depart disappear get off get out go lift off pull out soar withdraw
WEAK
ascend bear beat it become airborne begone clear out decamp exit go away head hightail hit the road hit the trail light out make quit scram set out shove off split take to the air vamoose
Antonyms
STRONGEST
arrive come come in continue stay
VERB
mock, satirize
Synonyms
WEAK
ape burlesque caricature imitate lampoon mimic parody ridicule send up spoof travesty
Antonyms
WEAK
arrive come stay

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.

One hundred or more could take off this year, possibly making it the busiest spaceport in the world.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

If workers are persuaded that inflation won’t take off or are not in a strong enough bargaining position to secure higher pay, the impact on services prices will be more muted.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Investors hoped the company would appeal to environmentally-conscious and vegetarian-curious consumers — or with anyone concerned about the meat industry and animal welfare — and take off in a fashion similar to plant-based milk.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 12, 2026

But the larger aircraft became bogged down in sand and could not take off, requiring smaller planes to fly out the US personnel in multiple trips.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Mom reaches for my sweaty arm, but I take off for the kitchen.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison