The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word REMOVES
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
R
E
M
O
V
E
S
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Takes off" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case takes off = removes.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does REMOVES mean?
REMOVES noun- The act of removing something.
- (archaic) Removing a dish at a meal in order to replace it with the next course, a dish thus replaced, or the replacement.
- (at some public schools) A division of the school, especially the form prior to last
- A step or gradation (as in the phrase "at one remove")
- Distance in time or space; interval.
- (by extension) Emotional distance or indifference.
- The transfer of one's home or business to another place; a move.
- The act of resetting a horse's shoe.
- To move something from one place to another, especially to take away.
- To murder.
- To dismiss a batsman.
- To discard, set aside, especially something abstract (a thought, feeling, etc.).
- To depart, leave.
- To change one's residence; to move.
- To dismiss or discharge from office.