take off
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle off
Meanings
Remove clothing or accessories
Why “off”? A piece detaches from the whole. Contact with the body is broken.
“Leo took off his work shoes at the flat door that evening.”
“He took off his wet jacket in the hall.”
“He took off his hat as a sign of respect.”
Leave the ground (aircraft)
Why “off”? Someone or something leaves a starting point. An action or event can also begin.
“The plane takes off at noon.”
“The helicopter took off from the hospital roof.”
“Our flight took off an hour late.”
Become suddenly successful
Why “off”? The effort succeeds. It moves from an attempt to a result.
“Her career really took off after that role.”
“The bakery took off after a TV review.”
“The podcast took off in its second season.”
Memory hook
Off means separation: the plane separates from the ground; clothes separate from your body.
Common mistake
Take off your shoes off.
Take off your shoes. / Take your shoes off.
Use the particle once. Both orders are fine, but not both at the same time.
Natural collocations
The word partners “take off” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Take off means remove clothing or accessories. Take on means accept a responsibility or challenge.
Take off means remove clothing or accessories. Take out means remove something from inside.
Use take off for something on your body. Use take down for something fixed or hanging above you.
Test yourself
“Leo took off his work shoes at the flat door that evening.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
take down
A contrast learners often mix up
Remove something from a higher position; Write notes quickly; Defeat someone or remove something from operation
take on
A contrast learners often mix up
Accept a responsibility or challenge; Employ new staff; Compete against
take out
A contrast learners often mix up
Remove something from inside; Invite someone to go somewhere socially; Borrow from a library
back off
Same off pattern: separation
Move away from someone or something, often in retreat; Stop pressuring or interfering with someone; Withdraw from a previous position or commitment
bite off
Same off pattern: separation
Remove a piece of something by biting it; Accept more work or responsibility than you can manage ("bite off more than you can chew"); Speak sharply and curtly
blast off
Same off pattern: departure
Launch into the sky with great force
block off
Same off pattern: separation
Block access to an area or route; Reserve a period of time for a specific purpose
blow off
Same off pattern: separation
Be removed by force, especially wind; Cancel plans or fail to meet someone deliberately; Release strong feelings, especially anger; Remove dust or particles by blowing air on them
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