take off suddenly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take off suddenly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that begins to move or accelerate quickly and unexpectedly, often in the context of vehicles, aircraft, or even abstract concepts like emotions or trends. Example: "The plane took off suddenly, catching many passengers off guard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The firm invests early with enterprise, but waits with consumer companies, because they tend to take off — suddenly, everyone wants to be on Instagram — or fail fast.

The New Yorker

This is one of those applications, like Twitter, that could sort of float around for a while and then take off suddenly when a tipping point is reached.

TechCrunch

When the Fed raised the benchmark rate in December for the first and only time since December 2008, Yellen cited the desire to avoid having to increase it "abruptly" if inflation were to take off suddenly. .

Huffington Post

And don't bunch them up to quickly, as you only want them to be slightly anxious about your behaviour and not take off suddenly in fear and flight.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He worked closely with Arnold Schoenberg from the age of fifteen until his career took off suddenly, at seventeen, when he was chosen by the famous violinist Adolf Busch to be his accompanist.

The New Yorker

Subtitled "How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference," Gladwell deals with the way some ideas slowly spread and then suddenly take off.

The New York Times - Magazine

As I was sitting there waiting for the ship to take off it suddenly went straight up with almost no sound and little vibration.

Huffington Post

It leapt on to an empty stage: it wobbled, it looked as if it would never take off, and then, suddenly, it was flying.

The Guardian

One of the big concerns about women-owned companies may sound horribly stereotypical, but if someone is going to hand over hundreds of thousands of dollars, he wants to know that the borrower isn't going to have to take off nine months suddenly, plus handle extra parenting responsibilities afterwards.

Huffington Post

In that new space, on a warm moonlit night, this early comedy suddenly took off.

The Guardian

For years he worked in relative obscurity until about 1995, when, with women growing tired of the reigning minimalist look, his business suddenly took off.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the sudden success of a product or idea, use "take off suddenly" to convey rapid and unexpected growth. For example, "The new app took off suddenly, gaining millions of users in weeks."

Common error

Avoid using "take off suddenly" when the increase or departure was anticipated. The word "suddenly" implies an element of surprise. Use "take off" without "suddenly" if the event was expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take off suddenly" functions primarily as a verb phrase, typically modifying a noun by describing its action. It indicates a quick, unexpected initiation of movement or increase. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take off suddenly" describes a rapid and unexpected start or increase, as confirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to use it when the suddenness is a key aspect. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts. For alternatives, consider "launch abruptly" or "ascend rapidly" depending on the context. Always remember that "suddenly" emphasizes surprise; avoid redundancy by omitting it when speed is not the primary focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

launch abruptly

Focuses on the immediate beginning or start of something, emphasizing the lack of warning.

ascend rapidly

Emphasizes a quick upward movement or rise, often in a literal sense.

surge unexpectedly

Highlights a sudden increase or upswing, often used for abstract concepts like emotions or popularity.

bolt suddenly

Suggests a quick, forceful, and often unplanned escape or departure.

skyrocket abruptly

Implies a very rapid and dramatic increase or rise, often in a metaphorical sense.

erupt unexpectedly

Focuses on a sudden and forceful outburst or emergence.

shoot up rapidly

Emphasizes a quick and vertical movement or increase.

jumpstart quickly

Suggests a rapid and energetic beginning or acceleration.

ignite suddenly

Highlights a rapid and intense start or burst of activity, similar to a fire.

accelerate unexpectedly

Emphasizes a sudden increase in speed or rate, often implying a previous state of slowness.

FAQs

What does "take off suddenly" mean?

The phrase "take off suddenly" describes something that rapidly gains momentum or departs quickly and unexpectedly. This can apply to physical movement, like a plane taking off, or to abstract concepts, like a business's success.

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

Alternatives include phrases such as "launch abruptly", "ascend rapidly", or "surge unexpectedly", depending on the specific context.

How do I use "take off suddenly" in a sentence?

You can use "take off suddenly" to describe a variety of scenarios. For example: "The rocket took off suddenly." or "Her career took off suddenly after the viral video."

Is it redundant to say "take off suddenly"? Isn't taking off already sudden?

While "take off" implies movement, adding "suddenly" emphasizes the unexpected or rapid nature of the departure or increase. Using only "take off" may be appropriate if the action's speed is not the focus.