liftoff
[
lift
-awf, -of]
/ˈlɪftˌɔf, -ˌɒf/
noun
1.
Aeronautics, Rocketry.
the action of an aircraft in becoming airborne or of a rocket in rising from its launching site under its own power.
the instant when such action occurs.
2.
Informal.
the launching or commencement of a project, plan, etc.:
The liftoff of the sales campaign will be next month.
adjective
3.
that removes by lifting off; capable of being lifted off:
a liftoff correction tape for typewriters; magnetized, liftoff nameplates.
Also,
lift-off
.
Origin
1955-60;
noun, adj. use of verb phrase
lift off
British Dictionary definitions for
lift off
liftoff
/
ˈlɪftˌɒf
/
noun
1.
the initial movement or ascent of a rocket from its launch pad
2.
the instant at which this occurs
verb
3.
(
intransitive, adverb
) (of a rocket) to leave its launch pad
Word Origin and History for
lift off
liftoff
n.
also
lift-off
, "vertical take-off of a rocket, etc.," 1956, American English, from
lift
(v.) +
off
.
Idioms and Phrases with
lift off
lift off
Begin flight, as in
The spacecraft was due to lift off at ten o'clock
. The
off
in this idiom means “off the ground.”
[
Late 1800s
]