when is a take-off clearance not a take-off clearance?

[Bono Vox]

WHEN IT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE WORDS "CLEAR TAKE_OFF"!!!!!!!

Zone clearances, line-up clearances & "after departure" instructions have all been mistaken for take-off clearances but how come? I know that new instructions have come out to emphasise that the others are not to be taken as a take-off clearance but really, why are they necessary? How hard is it to understand that when a controller says clear take-off (s)he means just that and if (s)he DOESN'T say clear take-off then you DO NOT TAKE OFF?

Just a thought.

(Also in ATC issues.)

[Captain Mainwaring]

Cleared Take Off Runway xx might be preceded in the same sentence with the wind vector.
At Dublin the controllers incorporate a reiteration of the departure plus the wind plus a cheery goodbye. It can be missed in all the blether !

[Joaquín]

As far as I know, "take-off" is ONLY used for take-off clearances to avoid confussion.

For any other purposes you should use departure or something similar.

Fly safely

[chiglet]

Which is why the statement.... "Line up and wait/hold" rather than, "You are 'cleared' to line up and hold"
We aim to please [to keep the cleaners happy]