take off early

USAGE SUMMARY

"take off early" is a valid phrase in written English.
You might use it in a sentence like, "I need to take off early today, so I can make it to my dentist appointment on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

She'll take off early tomorrow so I can work a full day.

The New York Times

So they take off early in the morning to hunt for dead animals to eat.

The Washington Post

He tells me I should take off early, that my boss will understand because this is an extenuating circumstance.

The New Yorker

They were A.W.O.L., had got hold of a play and planned to take off early the next morning, unless, of course, they were picked up in the meantime.

The New Yorker

Wall Street weathers storm Hurricane Floyd began to ravage Manhattan with torrid rains this morning, and many investment professionals said they planned to take off early to avoid the brunt of the storm.

Forbes

But, anyway, back to being a postdoc... as a postdoc I am able to take off early when needed, stay at home with her when she was sick, go on outings with her class, and take a few weeks a year off and go on vacation.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

First, increasing µi causes cultural complexity to take off earlier than the same increase in µs.

Plosone

Taken off early in the second half.

The Guardian - Sport

The cargo plane prevented a collision by taking off early.

The New York Times

Private residential construction spending took off early in this century, rising to a peak in 2006.

The New York Times

It was reflected in the racing — a five-man breakaway took off early and was never chased down by the main bunch.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take off early" in professional communication, clarify the reason for the early departure to maintain transparency and avoid misunderstandings. For instance, specify if it's for a doctor's appointment or personal emergency.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that you need to "take off early" without providing any context or reason. This can come across as unprofessional or inconsiderate. Always provide a brief explanation or justification for your early departure.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "take off early" primarily functions as an expression of departure or leaving before the expected or scheduled time. It's commonly used in contexts relating to work, travel, or events. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take off early" is a phrasal verb that means to leave before the scheduled time. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct. While not extremely common, it's used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. The phrase is generally neutral in tone, though providing context for the early departure is crucial in professional settings. Alternatives include "leave early" or "depart early", which can be useful depending on the specific situation. Remember to clarify your reasons when you need to "take off early" to maintain clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave early

This alternative is a more direct and common synonym, focusing on the act of leaving before the scheduled time.

depart early

Similar to "leave early", this option adds a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing the act of departure.

go home early

This alternative is specific to leaving for home before the usual time, implying a return to one's residence.

finish work early

This phrase is context-specific to leaving work before the scheduled end of the workday.

clock off early

This option uses the term "clock off", which refers to registering the end of work, and implies leaving before the scheduled time.

be excused early

This phrase indicates that permission has been granted to leave before the usual time.

get off early

This is an informal alternative that conveys the sense of being allowed to leave before the scheduled time.

cut out early

This is another informal synonym, emphasizing the act of abruptly stopping and leaving before the usual time.

make an early exit

This alternative uses a more descriptive term, highlighting the act of leaving prematurely.

take an early departure

This option uses a more formal and descriptive phrase, emphasizing the act of departing prematurely.

FAQs

What does "take off early" mean?

"Take off early" means to leave a place, especially work or an event, before the scheduled or usual time.

What can I say instead of "take off early"?

You can use alternatives like "leave early", "depart early", or "go home early" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to "take off early" from work?

It depends on your workplace policies and the reason for leaving early. It's generally best to communicate with your supervisor and, if possible, complete your essential tasks before "taking off early".

Which is correct, "take off early" or "took off early"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Take off early" is present tense (e.g., "I plan to take off early tomorrow"), while "took off early" is past tense (e.g., "I took off early yesterday").