take off running

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take off running" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone starting to run quickly, often in a sudden or energetic manner. Example: "As soon as the starting gun went off, the athletes took off running towards the finish line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"My shoes are tied!" There're shouts of "Rapido!" There're shouts of "Vamos!" We take off running, directed to first circle the church.

Huffington Post

Then take off running as fast as you can, screaming at the top of your lungs.

The New Yorker

Vick's passing became less accurate, and he sometimes seemed too eager to take off running.

The New York Times - Sports

He was the last one to take off running, I guess".

The Guardian - Opinion

All I could do when I got down was take off running".

The New York Times

"I take off running, you know, because I want to get out of the situation.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

We all took off running down the breezeway toward the library," the posting late on Friday read.

HuffPost

"He took off running".

The New York Times

Instead, they took off running.

The New York Times

"I took off running toward the corner".

The New York Times

The attacker took off running before the bomb exploded.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an athlete beginning a race, "take off running" can effectively highlight the explosive start.

Common error

Do not use "take off running" when describing a leisurely or gradual start to running. This phrase implies suddenness and speed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take off running" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the initiation of a run with suddenness and speed. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe fleeing, starting a race, or reacting to a sudden stimulus.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "take off running" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of suddenly starting to run. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, predominantly in news and media, reflecting its neutral register. When writing, be mindful of its implication of suddenness and avoid using it in contexts where a gradual start is intended. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "start running" or "dash off" to best suit the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start running

A more general term for beginning to run, lacking the sense of suddenness.

sprint away

Highlights the fast pace of the departure.

begin to sprint

Emphasizes the speed and intensity of the running.

bolt off

Implies a sudden and startled escape.

dash off

Conveys a sense of urgency and speed.

dart away

Suggests a quick and evasive movement.

hurry away

Focuses on the speed, but it's less intense than a sprint.

make a run for it

Suggests an attempt to escape a situation.

flee

Emphasizes escaping from danger.

scamper off

Implies quick, light steps, often used for small animals or children.

FAQs

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

You can use "take off running" to describe someone starting to run quickly and suddenly. For example, "As soon as he saw the bear, he "took off running" into the woods."

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

Alternatives include "start running", "begin to sprint", or "dash off", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "taken off running"?

"Taken off running" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "took off running" (past tense) or "take off running" (present tense/infinitive).

What's the difference between "take off running" and "start running"?

"Take off running" implies a sudden and energetic start, while "start running" is a more general term for beginning to run.