take off

• ⇰ to begin a leap from a surface or a flight into the air; especially, (of a bird or an airplane) to leave the ground and begin to fly; <as>as, flight CA123 <ex>took off</ex> on schedule at 3:00 PM</as>.
• ⇰ To begin a period of accelerating growth or development; <as>as, the economy <ex>took off</ex> in the third quarter</as>.
• ⇰ To begin a journey; to depart.

• ⇰ To remove, as from the surface or outside; to remove from the top of anything; <as>as, <ex>to take off</ex> a load; <ex>to take off</ex> one's hat, coat or other article of clothing; to <ex>take off</ex> a coat of paint from a surface</as>.
• ⇰ To cut off; <as>as, <ex>to take off</ex> the head, or a limb</as>.
• ⇰ To destroy; <as>as, <ex>to take off</ex> life</as>.
• ⇰ To remove; to invalidate; <as>as, <ex>to take off</ex> the force of an argument</as>.
• ⇰ To withdraw; to call or draw away.
• ⇰ To swallow; <as>as, <ex>to take off</ex> a glass of wine</as>.
• ⇰ To purchase; to take in trade.
• ⇰ To copy; to reproduce.
• ⇰ To imitate; to mimic; to personate.
• ⇰ To find place for; to dispose of; <as>as, more scholars than preferments can <ex>take off</ex>.</as>
• ⇰ To discount or deduct (from a price); <as>the dealer <ex>took off</ex> twenty percent on remaining toys</as>.