took 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.

Regulators in other countries went further, while voluntary climate-related disclosures took off.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

When change happens quickly, like it did when Clark’s wife took off in the night, it can be near-impossible to grapple with.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

Coach Lisa saw me play a tournament, and then a few days later, I was out of camp and it kind of took off after that.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

Another of the deportees, Carlos Rodelo, says he only learned of his final destination just hours before the flight took off.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

And they ducked beneath the water and took off.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell