take off now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take off now" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone should leave or depart immediately. Example: "The plane is ready for boarding, so we need to take off now to ensure we don't miss our flight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

TechCrunch

Vice

HuffPost

BBC

The New York Times

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

If North African economies take off now that they are no longer at the service of ruling families and their coteries, the flow of desperate immigrants into Europe will diminish.

The New York Times

With the party season set to take off now school is out and there are forthcoming GCSE and A-level results to celebrate, parents should brace themselves for the full impact of the party bills.

The Guardian - Money

That exponential fall in price is why the solar industry is beginning to really take off now.

BBC

This is something that has already begun, but is really starting to take off now.

TechCrunch

"It's starting to take off now because technology has gotten to the point where it's cheap enough, and the infrastructure is out there," says Austin.

TechCrunch

The actual feature differences are slight, but it'll be interesting to watch this space take off now that Facebook has thrown its hat in the ring.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

So why is the technology taking off now?

The New York Times

Why is free innovation taking off now? It's certainly getting stronger because of computerization and the internet.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Feminism seems to be taking off now in many different ways.

The Guardian - Music

The main reason wind is taking off now is the huge financial incentive provided by government subsidies.

The New York Times

"There were a lot of challenges with the early customers," said John Kelly, the senior vice president who oversees Watson, adding that the business was "taking off" now.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take off now" to indicate a trend or business is succeeding, ensure the context clearly supports that interpretation. Use it when referring to a point in time.

Common error

Avoid using "take off now" in contexts where a literal departure (e.g., a plane taking off) could be confused with a figurative meaning (e.g., a business becoming successful). Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take off now" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression. It serves either as an imperative, urging immediate departure, or as a descriptor indicating the onset of rapid success or growth. As Ludwig AI pointed out, both meanings are correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

TechCrunch

10%

Vice

10%

Less common in

HuffPost

10%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take off now" is a versatile expression used to convey immediate departure or the beginning of rapid success. Ludwig AI confirms it as correct English. Its usage is more common in informal and neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. While grammatically sound, it's essential to ensure clarity to avoid confusion between its literal and figurative meanings. Alternatives like "depart immediately" or ""begin to thrive"" can offer more precision depending on the intended meaning. Remember to consider the specific context and audience to ensure the most effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depart immediately

Emphasizes the promptness of leaving.

leave right away

Highlights the urgency of departure.

make a quick exit

Implies a swift and often discreet departure.

start ascending

Focuses on the beginning of an upward trajectory, either literally or figuratively.

begin to thrive

Suggests the commencement of successful growth or development.

gain traction

Highlights the gaining of momentum or popularity.

become popular quickly

Emphasizes the rapid increase in popularity.

gain momentum now

Focuses on the current increase in speed or force.

experience rapid growth

Highlights the accelerated pace of expansion or development.

skyrocket in popularity

Suggests a very rapid and significant increase in popularity.

FAQs

How can I use "take off now" in a sentence?

You can use "take off now" to mean to leave immediately, as in "I have to "leave right away" -- there's a Flareon in my house I want to get!" or to describe something starting to become successful, as in "The business is just starting to "begin to thrive"."

What's the difference between "take off now" and "take off soon"?

"Take off now" implies an immediate departure or the very beginning of a trend, whereas "take off soon" suggests a departure or trend that will begin in the near future. The key difference is the timing: immediate versus impending.

Which is correct, "take off now" or "taking off now"?

Both phrases are correct but have slightly different meanings. "Take off now" typically means 'to depart immediately'. "Taking off now" suggests that something is in the process of becoming successful or popular, as in "the business is "gaining traction"."

What are some situations where I should avoid using "take off now"?

Avoid using "take off now" in formal writing where a more precise term is needed. For example, in a business report, instead of saying 'sales are taking off now', use a more specific phrase like "sales are experiencing rapid growth".