taken off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taken off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has started, increased in popularity, or moved quickly in a good direction. For example, "The band's new single has really taken off since its release."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's really taken off".

The New York Times

I'm taken off tomorrow's show.

Independent

He's taken off with that".

The New York Times

I'm taken off the show.

Independent

House prices have taken off.

The Economist

That's taken off".

The New Yorker

"He's taken off offensively.

The New York Times - Sports

I've taken off the back.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Wine tastings were taken off the schedule.

The New York Times

So everyone was taken off the aircraft.

Independent

Yet it hasn't taken off, either.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal reports, consider using more precise verbs like "withdrawn" or "implemented successfully" if the idiomatic nature of "taken off" feels too informal.

Common error

Avoid using "taken off" in a way that creates ambiguity between being removed (passive) and being successful (active). For example, "The player was taken off" clearly means they were removed from the field, while "The business has taken off" means it is doing well. Mixing these structures in a single paragraph can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

As noted by Ludwig, "taken off" acts as the past participle of the phrasal verb "take off". It is primarily used in passive voice constructions to indicate removal or in perfect tenses to describe an action that has already commenced or achieved success.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taken off" is a highly versatile phrasal verb participle that functions effectively in several distinct contexts. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently used in journalistic and professional writing to denote rapid success or the removal of a person or object from a specific role. Whether used in the passive voice—such as an athlete being "taken off" the field—or in the present perfect to describe a business that has "taken off", the phrase maintains a clear and dynamic meaning. Ludwig AI confirms that while it is idiomatic, it is widely accepted in formal registers and is an essential component of modern English for describing movement, change and growth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

removed

Focuses purely on the act of taking something away from its current position.

withdrawn

Implies a more formal or controlled removal from circulation or the market.

gained momentum

Used specifically to describe the metaphorical sense of a trend or business growing quickly.

stripped off

Used specifically for the rapid or forceful removal of clothing or layers.

became popular

A literal, less idiomatic way to describe a trend becoming successful.

discontinued

Used when a product, service, or show is officially stopped.

subtracted

Used in mathematical or scoring contexts where values are decreased.

departed

Specifically relates to the act of a vehicle or person leaving a location.

ascended

Used in aviation or elevation contexts, focusing on the upward movement.

launched

Focuses on the beginning of a successful journey or product release.

FAQs

What is the difference between "taken off" and "shaken off"?

While "taken off" usually implies physical removal or rapid success, "<a href="/s/shaken+off" target="_blank" rel="alternative">shaken off" suggests getting rid of something bothersome like a cold or a pursuer.

How to use "taken off" in a business context?

In business, it often describes a product that has suddenly <a href="/s/gained+traction" target="_blank" rel="alternative">gained traction or a service that was <a href="/s/discontinued" target="_blank" rel="alternative">discontinued from a commercial portfolio.

Can I say "taken off" when referring to clothes?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. You might say, "The coat was <a href="/s/removed" target="_blank" rel="alternative">removed" or "He had <a href="/s/stripped+off" target="_blank" rel="alternative">stripped off his wet socks" depending on the desired level of intensity.

Which is correct, "taken off" or "took off"?

"Took off" is the simple past tense, while "taken off" is the past participle. Use the former for simple past actions like "the plane took off" and the latter for perfect tenses or passive voice, such as "the trend has <a href="/s/exploded" target="_blank" rel="alternative">exploded".