wrote:

I am using a scanner to listen to my local airport and I often hear
"clear the option". Does this mean "you are clear to take-off"?

"Cleared for the option" is normally issued to an aircraft already in the
traffic pattern. It mean "you can land on the runway and then one of the
following at your choice: a) come to a full stop, then take off again,
b) don't stop but instead take right off again, or c) exit the runway."


Sometimes if the airport is really slow, the controller will issue this
clearance along with the take-off clearance, but typically, it is issued to
an aircraft already in the pattern.

--
Peter