take flight

idiom

1
: to leave or run away from danger
Fearing arrest, they took flight and hid in the mountains.
2
US : to begin flying
The bird took flight when we tried to approach it.
3
US : to begin a period of rapid activity, development, or growth
The idea really took flight and soon it seemed everyone was copying it.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Yearwood, one of the greatest singers in this genre, or any genre, received a too-brief medley of three songs with Carly Pearce that never really had a chance to take flight. Jon Freeman, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2023 New Zealand is reckoning with a skills shortage and a slowing economy, and the news was received with glum resignation, amid concerns that even more Kiwis would take flight for Australia and its much bigger economy. Natasha Frost, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2023 Special for The Arizona Republic Great red rock country views take flight on this Sedona urban trail circuit. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 9 Mar. 2023 The mission, called GLHF (good luck, have fun), will take flight from Launch Complex 16 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 24 Feb. 2023 In 1985, Tinker Bell was the first character to take flight across Disneyland's castle during a nighttime spectacular at the California park. Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 30 Jan. 2023 On October 14, the west end of the museum reopens to the public, allowing imagination to again take flight. Lonnie G. Bunch Iii, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Sep. 2022 These are just some of the experiments that will soon take flight on a lunar journey – and their findings could change the future of space exploration. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 25 Aug. 2022 Make sure your seats and tray tables are in the upright position, because Manifest is getting ready take flight once more. Ruth Kinane, EW.com, 18 Nov. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take flight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Cite this Entry

“Take flight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20flight. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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