takeoff

do a takeoff on (someone or something)

To parody someone or something. In our skit, we did a takeoff on the principal's daily announcements and had everyone cracking up.
See also: on, takeoff

take-off artist

slang A thief, especially a mugger or robber. My dad always made it known that he kept a shotgun and a baseball bat behind the counter to ward off would-be take-off artists. The guy is a take-off artist. He used to walk around town posing as a foreigner, then he'd stop people on the street to ask for directions, pull a gun on them, and make off with their valuables.
See also: artist
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

do a takeoff on someone or something

to perform a parody on someone or something. The comedian did a takeoff on the president, and everyone thought it was terribly funny.
See also: on, takeoff

take-off artist

Sl a thief. (Underworld.) A take-off artist known as the Cat is cleaning out closets and jewelry boxes all over town. He's not a sales agent. He's a takeoff artist, pure and simple.
See also: artist
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

take-off artist

n. a thief. (Underworld.) A take-off artist known as the Cat is cleaning out closets and jewelry boxes all over town.
See also: artist
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • do a takeoff on
  • do a takeoff on (someone or something)
  • with apologies to
  • get cracking
  • Get cracking!
  • up and away
  • weasel
  • catch a weasel asleep
  • make a crack
  • strike at the root of
References in periodicals archive
For example, the POH for the Diamond DA-40-180 says a two-percent grade can increase the takeoff distance by 10 percent and can affect takeoff roll by even more.
Downwind Or Downhill? It isn't that simple
As we reviewed the environmental conditions during takeoff and compared them with the NATOPS performance charts, we realized just how precarious our flaps-up takeoff had been.
What five aviators missed
The Japan Transport Safety Board under the transport ministry said the Air Self-Defense Force controller used the word ''takeoff'' prematurely, prompting the captain to think he had received authorization to move onto the runway and commence a takeoff run.
2ND LD: Controller miscommunication caused JAL plane to commence takeoff
20 to another aircraft after its first takeoff was aborted before ultimately deciding to clear it for a second takeoff.
Company Watch - Spanair
"The rules of operation are such that a pilot must be able to abort a takeoff while the aircraft is still on the ground and have enough runway left to come to a stop using maximum brakes.
Experts suggest crash linked to rare jet glitch
The Boeing 737, heading to Zurich was grounded during takeoff after "a smell of smoke" was noticed and 128 passengers, plus crew members were evacuated using emergency slides.
Scare at Ben-Gurion as El Al Plane Fills with Smoke
Campbell showcases the slow-flying Fi 156 Storch which was designed by Gerhard Fieseler and Reinhard Mewes as a short takeoff and landing aircraft and was a very popular such model in the Germany military and governmental airforce during World War II.
Fieseler Storch in Action
Shortly after takeoff, a 0.9-pound chunk of foam insulation broke off the side of the shuttle's external fuel tank but didn't appear to hit the shuttle.
Space woes; NASA programs reel from shuttle problems
Timberline Office users got closer during the past few years when Timberline partnered with automated takeoff vendor On Center to offer On-Screen Takeoff as part of the Timberline Office Suite.
Easier estimates: Timberline software integrates electronic takeoffs with estimating software
BRITONS last night told of their frantic efforts to ground a flight after spotting fuel spewing from a wing during takeoff.
British passengers stranded after aircraft grounded by fuel spillage on takeoff
An F/A-18C Hornet of Strike Fighter Squadron 131 crashed after takeoff from Nellis AFB, Nev., on 9 November 2004.
Airscoop
Principle 5: Solicit student feedback prior to course takeoff. Evaluate students before the course begins through student self-evaluations, self-assessment questionnaires, and readiness assessments.
Preparing to teach online
In referring to chronic weight problems with the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) version of the JSF, the secretary said, "...
Air Force print news (March 26, 2004): Joint Strike Fighter under attack on capitol hill
To prepare for takeoff, have your class create a giant data table.
The great flight challenge