Phrasal verb
lift off
Definitions
01to begin flight
B1 · Intermediate
phr.v. to leave the ground and start flying, usually used for rockets, helicopters, or planes.
phr.v. to leave the ground and begin flight; most commonly applied to the vertical ascent of rockets or helicopters from a stationary position.
“The rocket is scheduled to lift off at exactly ten o'clock tomorrow morning.”
“Spectators gathered at a safe distance to watch the massive rocket lift off, feeling the ground shake as the engines reached full power.”
Usage
The verb is intransitive in this sense and does not take a direct object.
Antonyms
02to remove from a surface
B2 · Upper Intermediate
phr.v. to pick something up or remove it from the surface it was resting on.
phr.v. to physically raise an object from a surface or to remove a covering by pulling it upward.
“He carefully lifted the lid off the box to see what was inside.”
“The forensic team used specialized tape to lift off the fingerprints from the glass surface without damaging the evidence.”
Usage
This sense is transitive and separable; you can lift the lid off or lift off the lid.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “lift off” in context.
Verb
01. prepare to lift off
“The astronauts were strapped into their seats and prepared to lift off.”
verb + infinitive
02. watch the rocket lift off
“Thousands of people gathered at the space center to watch the rocket lift off.”
verb + noun + verb
Noun
03. spacecraft lift off
“The spacecraft lift off was delayed by two hours due to heavy rain and wind.”
noun + verb
Adverb
04. lift off smoothly
“The new passenger jet lifted off smoothly on its maiden flight.”
verb + adv
05. successfully lift off
“The rocket successfully lifted off from the launchpad at exactly 9:00 AM.”
adv + verb
Teaching tip
contrast with 'take off' (more general) and note that 'lift off' is more specific to mechanical things taking off.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
lift + off
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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