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 Beverly Center shopping mall takes five minutes by car, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center takes less than 10 minutes.
—Angela Serratore, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
The Daily News and ProPublica reported in January that the most serious felony cases in Alaska can take five, seven or even 10 years to reach trial as judges approve dozens of delays.
—Kyle Hopkins, ProPublica, 14 Feb. 2025
Some ovulation tests only take a minute or two, while others can take five minutes or more.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
Just taking five minutes every hour to do something physical—like walking up the stairs—has benefits.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for take five 
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Angela Serratore, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
The Daily News and ProPublica reported in January that the most serious felony cases in Alaska can take five, seven or even 10 years to reach trial as judges approve dozens of delays.
—Kyle Hopkins, ProPublica, 14 Feb. 2025
Some ovulation tests only take a minute or two, while others can take five minutes or more.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
Just taking five minutes every hour to do something physical—like walking up the stairs—has benefits.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for take five
Dictionary Entries Near take five
Cite this Entry
“Take five.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20five. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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