Take wing
verb
To start flying.
The birds took wing at the sound of the gunshots.
Often appears as...
- birds take wing
- take wing at sunrise
verb
To leave or depart quickly, especially to evade or avoid something.
As soon as he saw the police car, the thief took wing.
Often appears as...
- thief took wing
- take wing from danger
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To begin suddenly.
Rumors about their breakup took wing on social media.
Often appears as...
- rumors take wing
- take wing online
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To become successful or popular, especially after a period of time.
Upon introducing its new series, the streaming platform took wing.
Often appears as...
- business took wing
- career takes wing
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To start flying.
The birds took wing at the sound of the gunshots.
Often appears as...
- birds take wing
- take wing at sunrise
verb
To leave or depart quickly, especially to evade or avoid something.
As soon as he saw the police car, the thief took wing.
Often appears as...
- thief took wing
- take wing from danger
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To begin suddenly.
Rumors about their breakup took wing on social media.
Often appears as...
- rumors take wing
- take wing online
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To become successful or popular, especially after a period of time.
Upon introducing its new series, the streaming platform took wing.
Often appears as...
- business took wing
- career takes wing
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Literal Flight
Use this when actual flying is involved, typically for birds or insects taking off.
As the sun rose, the geese took wing, heading south.
Pro Tip 2/2Sudden Movement
Emphasizes the abruptness of the action, like a bird startled into flight.
The frightened pigeons took wing when the bell rang.
Pro Tip 1/2Literal Flight
Use this when actual flying is involved, typically for birds or insects taking off.
As the sun rose, the geese took wing, heading south.
Pro Tip 2/2Sudden Movement
Emphasizes the abruptness of the action, like a bird startled into flight.
The frightened pigeons took wing when the bell rang.
Pro Tip 1/2Literal Flight
Use this when actual flying is involved, typically for birds or insects taking off.
As the sun rose, the geese took wing, heading south.
Pro Tip 2/2Sudden Movement
Emphasizes the abruptness of the action, like a bird startled into flight.
The frightened pigeons took wing when the bell rang.
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