taking off

USAGE SUMMARY

Taking off is an idiomatic phrase that is used in written English.
It can be used as a verb to mean "to start a journey" or "to leave a place quickly". For example, "We took off early this morning and arrived in London by noon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nothing is taking off.

The New York Times

It's not taking off!

The New York Times

Photojournalism was taking off.

The New York Times - Arts

Taking off is fuel-intensive.

The Economist

Wage growth isn't taking off.

Independent

She's taking off her clothes!

The New York Times

Consumer credit is taking off.

The New York Times

It's Taking Off.

The New York Times - Science

They're taking off work.

The New York Times

Taking off dress sock.

The New Yorker

He watched her taking off her coat.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing quick departures or sudden success, "taking off" is effective. However, be specific if you mean removing an object, as the context might be unclear.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "taking off" too casually in formal writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "departing" or "progressing rapidly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking off" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often serving as a present participle within a continuous verb tense. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes an ongoing action, such as a plane beginning its flight or a business starting to succeed. The examples provided illustrate its use in various contexts, showcasing its versatility as a verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taking off" is a versatile verb phrase with multiple meanings, ranging from literal departures to figurative expressions of success and removal of objects. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical function is primarily as a present participle in continuous verb tenses. The analysis of usage patterns reveals it is most frequently found in news and media, with less common occurrences in scientific and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity, consider the context and opt for more precise alternatives like "departing" or "progressing rapidly" in formal writing. "Taking off" demonstrates a broad applicability while retaining a level of informality suitable for diverse communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

departing

Focuses specifically on the act of leaving or starting a journey, similar to one meaning of "taking off".

becoming successful

Emphasizes the aspect of achieving success or rapid growth, akin to the figurative sense of "taking off".

gaining momentum

Highlights the increasing speed or progress of something, comparable to "taking off" in terms of growth.

removing

Focuses on the physical action of taking something off, aligning with the literal meaning of "taking off" clothes or accessories.

lifting off

Specifically refers to the action of ascending into the air, like an aircraft "taking off".

getting airborne

Implies the act of becoming airborne, relating to the aviation context of "taking off".

gaining traction

Indicates increasing popularity or acceptance, similar to something "taking off" in a market or trend.

ascending

Describes the upward movement or rise, mirroring the physical action of "taking off".

being launched

Refers to the initiation or start of something, akin to a career or product "taking off".

skyrocketing

Suggests a rapid and dramatic increase, similar to the accelerated growth implied by "taking off".

FAQs

How can I use "taking off" in a sentence about removing clothing?

You can say, "She is "taking off" her coat" or "He was "taking off" his shoes" to describe the act of removing garments.

What does "taking off" mean in a business context?

In business, "taking off" often means something is becoming successful or rapidly growing. For example, "The new product is "taking off" in the market."

What's the difference between "taking off" and "departing"?

"Taking off" implies a more sudden or rapid departure, while "departing" is a more formal and general term for leaving. You might say a plane is ""taking off"", but you'd more likely say someone is "departing" on a journey.

What are some synonyms for "taking off" when referring to rapid growth?

When "taking off" means rapid growth, you can use alternatives like "gaining momentum", "skyrocketing", or "becoming successful".