Take flight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Take flight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to indicate the beginning of a journey, an idea, or a project taking off or becoming successful. Example: "With the new marketing strategy in place, we hope our sales will take flight this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Take "Flight".

The New York Times

"Udaan" means "to take flight".

The New York Times

Go! Take flight!

The New Yorker

So observers could take flight.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Drink Angel's Envy and take flight!

The New York Times - Food

(Listen to her take flight on YouTube).

The Guardian

But it doesn't quite take flight.

The Guardian - Music

A good time to take flight?

The Guardian

A gaggle of swans take flight.

The Guardian - Travel

It's a confident performance that doesn't always take flight.

Independent

American occultists take flight from consciousness in Krishna Consciousness.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. While "take flight" often implies a literal flight, it can also be used metaphorically to describe something starting or becoming successful.

Common error

Avoid using "take flight" in contexts where a more literal or straightforward term would be clearer. Overusing metaphors can make your writing seem unclear or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take flight" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of starting to fly or, metaphorically, beginning to succeed or progress rapidly. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take flight" is a versatile verb phrase that means to literally begin flying or, metaphorically, to commence a successful endeavor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as academic settings, making it suitable for both formal and informal writing. When choosing alternative phrases, consider options like "soar" or "lift off" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Use "take flight" to add dynamism and excitement to your writing, but avoid overusing it to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Soar

Implies a high, graceful flight or ascent, suggesting ambition and achievement.

Lift off

Specifically refers to the act of becoming airborne, often used in the context of rockets or airplanes.

Ascend

Suggests a gradual upward movement or rise in status or importance.

Get airborne

Emphasizes the state of being in the air, highlighting the transition from ground to flight.

Spring into action

Signifies a sudden and energetic commencement of an activity or endeavor.

Commence flying

A more formal way to describe starting to fly, useful in technical contexts.

Begin to fly

A straightforward and literal alternative, suitable for instructional or descriptive writing.

Embark

Suggests starting a journey or undertaking, whether physical or metaphorical.

Set off

Implies beginning a journey or expedition, often with a specific destination in mind.

Get underway

Indicates that something has started and is progressing, often used in the context of projects or plans.

FAQs

How can I use "take flight" in a sentence?

You can use "take flight" to describe literal flying, as in "The birds "take flight" from the trees", or metaphorically, as in "The company's profits "take flight" after the new marketing campaign".

What does "take flight" mean?

"Take flight" can mean to literally start flying or, metaphorically, to suddenly become successful or start a new venture with vigor.

What can I say instead of "take flight"?

You can use alternatives like "soar", "lift off", or "ascend" depending on the context. Each alternative has a slightly different nuance.

Is "take flight" formal or informal?

"Take flight" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the specific situation.