Phrasal verb
took off
Definition
phrasal verb. to leave the ground and begin to fly, or to leave a place suddenly. You can also use it to describe a business or idea that becomes successful very quickly.
phrasal verb. to become airborne; to depart a location abruptly; or to experience a rapid increase in popularity or success. Intransitive in these senses, though the transitive form 'take off' (to remove) is distinct.
Examples
“The plane took off on time despite the snow.”
“After the celebrity shared the video, the new app took off and gained millions of users overnight.”
“The startup's valuation took off following the successful series A funding round, exceeding all initial market projections.”
Examples
simple
“The plane took off on time despite the snow.”
contextual
“After the celebrity shared the video, the new app took off and gained millions of users overnight.”
complex
“The startup's valuation took off following the successful series A funding round, exceeding all initial market projections.”
Usage
used without a direct object when referring to flight or sudden success.
Teaching tip
distinguish between the intransitive 'success' sense and the transitive 'remove clothing' sense; the past tense 'took' is a common irregular verb check for A2 learners.
Pitfall
The plane took off the ground.
The plane took off.
in the sense of flying, 'take off' is intransitive and does not require 'the ground' as an object.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
take + 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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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