taking off
/ˌteɪkɪŋ ˈɒf/noun
1The action or an act of taking something off; removal.
2Killing, murder; death. Compare to take off.
3The action of mimicking or imitating a person or thing, especially in a mocking manner; an instance of this.
4The action of commencing a jump or leap, or of becoming airborne. Opposed to landing.
Origin
Late Middle English; earliest use found in MS Douce 559. From taking + off, after to take off.