take five
idiomatic phrase
variants
or take ten
US, informal
: to take a brief break (as from work)
They're locked in a fierce debate over the last scene of their film … when camp director and Hollywood veteran Sam Dalton finally orders them to take five.—
Megan Myers
Megan MyersParry Aftab, the executive director of WiredSafety.org, offers these tips for dealing with troubling messages. … Take five. Instead of replying to a message that upsets you, step away and do something you enjoy for five minutes.—Nicole Iorio
Nicole IorioI could see his anger had nearly boiled over. … Coach Colby, who ran the defense, was the brave soul who stepped in. "Take ten," he said, placing a hand on Orlando's chest. "Cool off. Then suit up and meet at the fifty-yard line. Got it?"—Brandon Terrell
Brandon TerrellExamples of take five in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The project will take five years to complete and cost between $90 million and $100 million, said county spokesman Greg Meyer.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
During Read’s first trial, Jury selection took five days, and 19 jurors and alternates were selected from a pool of 401 people.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
The Sharks took five minors in the first two periods Sunday night, allowing power-play goals to Adrian Kempe and Warren Foegele.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2025
Why did her partner take five extra minutes to text back?
—Morgan Sullivan, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take five
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
During Read’s first trial, Jury selection took five days, and 19 jurors and alternates were selected from a pool of 401 people.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
The Sharks took five minors in the first two periods Sunday night, allowing power-play goals to Adrian Kempe and Warren Foegele.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2025
Why did her partner take five extra minutes to text back?
—Morgan Sullivan, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take five
Cite this Entry
“Take five.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20five. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share