What does the phrasal verb 'take off' mean?

[Harald]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #56 "Chit Chat: In the Aeroplane", question 10

Mike: Don't get too excited! We're still on the runway and haven't taken ......... yet.

(a) through
(b) by
(c) off
(d) in

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #56 "Chit Chat: In the Aeroplane", answer 10

Mike: Don't get too excited! We're still on the runway and haven't taken off yet.

Correct answer: (c) off

Your answer was: correct
_________________________

Hi everyone, can you explain to me why we must use "off" and not another word?

[Jamie (K)]

You need to use "off", because the phrasal verb "take off" means for a plane or rocket (and the people in it) to leave the ground and start flying. If you use any word other than "off", you'll have a different phrasal verb that doesn't mean this.

"Take on" means to "accept" in the sense of accepting some kind of responsibility.
"Take in" means "accept" in the sense of accepting guests or adopted children, for example.

As far as I know, phrasal verbs "take through" and "take by" don't exist, so your only choice is "take off".

[Kati Svaby]

Hi Jamie K.

I found in the Oxford Dictionary:

take sb through sth = to help, to learn or become familiar with sth, for example by talking about each part in turn:

For exp: The director took us through the play scene by scene.

Kati S.
_________________
Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

[Alan]

Hi Kati,

You're quite right, 'take someone through something' often suggests that you explain to someone, something as you say, like a play or also a procedure. It would be used like this: Let me take you through the procedure so that you can follow it step by step.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple