Took off is a phrasal verb that means to remove quickly, or to leave in a hurry. The spelling of "took off" is made up of two separate sounds: /tʊk/ and /ɒf/. The first sound, /tʊk/, is pronounced with the tongue touching the roof of the mouth and the lips slightly pursed, followed by a short vowel sound. The second sound, /ɒf/, is pronounced with the mouth open and rounded, followed by a voiceless consonant at the end. The combination of these sounds makes up the correct spelling of this phrasal verb.
Took off is a phrasal verb that has multiple meanings and can be used in different contexts.
One common meaning of took off is to leave a place quickly or abruptly. It implies a sudden departure or action. For instance, if someone says, "I need to take off now," it means they need to leave immediately. Similarly, if a plane took off, it means that it left the ground and began its flight.
Another meaning of took off is to become successful or popular suddenly. It is often used to describe the rise of someone or something in terms of popularity, fame, or sales. For example, if a new movie or a song took off, it means that it became widely successful and gained significant attention from the audience or consumers.
Took off can also mean to remove or disassemble something. This usage is commonly seen when talking about clothes or accessories. For instance, taking off a jacket, hat, or jewelry involves removing it from one's body.
Furthermore, took off can refer to imitating or impersonating someone or something. This usage is often associated with mimicry or parody. For instance, if someone takes off a famous actor or politician, it means they imitate their mannerisms, voice, or behavior to entertain or make fun of them.
In conclusion, the phrasal verb took off encompasses various meanings: leaving quickly, sudden success, removing something, or impersonating someone.
The phrase "took off" is a colloquial expression that means to depart or leave, often referring to an airplane taking off. The etymology of this phrase is derived from the verb "take" and the preposition "off".
The verb "take" comes from the Old English word "tacan", which means to grasp or capture. Over time, the meaning of "take" expanded to include the act of moving or carrying something or oneself from one location to another.
The preposition "off" is derived from the Old English "of". It originally meant distance, separation, or removal from a place or position.
When combined, "took off" implies the action of seizing oneself away from a particular place or situation, similar to an airplane lifting off the ground during takeoff. The term gained popularity in the mid-20th century as air travel became more common and was subsequently adopted in colloquial usage beyond aviation.