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Meaning trap

take off

remove clothing

To remove a piece of clothing from your body.

phrasal verbB1core

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

remove clothing

To remove a piece of clothing from your body.

take off (plane leaves the ground)

Another meaning of 'take off' is 'plane leaves the ground'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

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Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • Please take off your shoes before entering the house.daily life
  • In my culture, we always take off our shoes when we visit someone's home.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: take off (something)

WrongTake off your shoes off at the door.

RightTake your shoes off at the door. / Take off your shoes at the door.

'Take off' is separable — say it once: 'take your shoes off' OR 'take off your shoes'.

Patterntake off (something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Please remove your footwear before entering.

Natural Take your shoes off before you come in.

'Take off' is the everyday verb for removing clothing; 'remove your footwear' sounds like a sign, not speech.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • take off + clothing
    your shoesyour coatyour hatmake-up

Don't confuse it

Opposite of 'put on', which means to wear something.

Try it in Daily Speak →