took flight

Verb

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

1. (idiomatic) To begin flying; to become airborne or aloft; to take off and fly
   • Though the bird is still young, in a day or two it will spread its wing and take flight for the first time.
2. (idiomatic) to flee
   • The criminals took flight as soon as they heard the sirens.

   Synonyms:

   fly