Crossword Genius

Made cryptic clue up on take off (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

uncouple

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

'take off' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'made cryptic clue up on' is the wordplay.
'clue up on' can be anagrammed to 'UNCOUPLE'.
But, I'm unsure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for uncouple that I've seen before include "Detach one train carriage from another" , "Disconnect" , "Release" , "Detach (a railway carriage)" , "Separate (carriage from train)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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