taking off

Verb

take off (third-person singular simple present takes off, present participle taking off, simple past took off, past participle taken off)

1. (transitive) To remove.
   • He took off his shoes.

   Synonyms:

   doff

2. (transitive, usually) To imitate (somebody), often in a satirical manner.
   • Yes, the Peaches, on a nearly non-existent budget, lack professionalism. The basic format of this show — taking off on television, with a soap opera, a quiz show, news, a cooking class and commercials for KY and grass, etc. — resembles kids getting up a skit.1978 April 22, Robert Chesley, “The Return Of The Peaches”, in Gay Community News, page 12

   Synonyms:

   ape, imitate, impersonate, mimic

3. (intransitive) To leave the ground and ascend into the air or into flight.
   • The plane has been cleared to take off from runway 3.
4. To stand up on a surfboard and begin to surf a breaking wave.
   • You take off, make the steep drop, hear the white water rumbling behind you and feel the spray on your back.1966, Bruce Brown, director, The Endless Summer
5. (intransitive) To become successful, to flourish.
   • The business has really taken off this year and has made quite a profit.

   Synonyms:

   bloom, blossom, flourish, grow, thrive

6. (intransitive) To depart.
   • I'm going to take off now.

   Synonyms:

   depart

See all 11 meanings of take off