Crossword Genius

Imitate departure from Heathrow? (4-3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

take-off

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'imitate' is the definition.
(taking off is a kind of imitating)

'departure from heathrow?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'from' could be 'off' (eg someone might be from or 'off' a TV show) and 'off' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'take' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for take-off that I've seen before include "burlesque" , "Leaving the ground" , "Act of mimicry" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app