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Glite Dictionary
🧥 To remove ✈️ To start flying 🏖️ To stop working 🏃 To leave suddenly ➖ To subtract 🚀 To become popular 🎭 To imitate
to take off

to take off

16 4.2
To copy someone in a funny way
  • phrasal verb
  • /teɪk ɔf/
translation icon : parodiar
  • The skit includes a funny take off on the famous politician's speech.

Another one of them is his Solar Ponds series, where he's taking off of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories.

Examples

  • I'm actually glad that my accounting career didn't take off yet because I was unaware of office politics.

    Blog text (23)

  • His impersonation of the singer was a hilarious take off that had everyone laughing.

  • I know how them astronauts feel at take off.

    Los Angeles (2021)

  • "Health 2.0 is on the verge of taking off," Smith said, because of the mature technology.

    Blog text (19)

  • They have a long running podcast called Watch What Krappens, which is like a take off on Watch What Happened.

  • Another one of them is his Solar Ponds series, where he's taking off of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories.

    Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy

  • In the movie, the character's ridiculous outfit is a take off of the latest fashion trends.

Synonyms

to mock
vsto take off
  • Offensive
209 3.4

Make fun of someone by copying them to show dislike

is lighter and aims for humorous satire rather than strong contempt
to mimic
vsto take off
77 3.1

To copy someone's actions or voice to make people laugh

is broader, using imitation especially for humorous or satirical effect
to parody
vsto take off
15 5.3

To copy the style of someone or something to make it funny by exaggerating features

is mimicry used for amusement without necessarily exaggerating features
to spoof
vsto take off
5 6.3

Imitate something in a funny way to make people laugh

is a playful imitation often used for satire but not limited to parody
to mime
vsto take off
2 5.0

To copy someone's actions to make a joke

uses broader imitation including voice and words, not only silent acting
to burlesque
vsto take off
8.3

To imitate someone in a funny, exaggerated way to make fun of them

is imitation aiming for satire or fun but less theatrical

How Accurate

to take off
16 4.2
to parody
15 5.3

Surface Forms

take off infinitive
taking off present participle
takes off third person singular
took off past
taken off past participle

Morphology

take + off

The sense 'to become successful or popular' is a metaphorical extension of the literal 'take' + 'off' idea of departing or launching (as with a plane or a product), so there is a recognizable link to the constituent meanings. However, this extended, idiomatic sense is not fully predictable from the parts for an average B1 learner without prior exposure, making the expression only partially transparent.

Etymology

Take off for imitation may come from the image of copying someone's voice or way of moving, as if you take their manner off and use it yourself. Comedians often take off a person by copying them, so it means 'to imitate' someone.