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
Parry 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
I 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

Examples of take five in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Advertisement Newsom said the funds will aid in repairing and expanding the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, a project that is already underway but will take five years to complete. Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024 The upper chamber takes five litres and the filter lasts six months. The Week Uk, theweek, 5 Dec. 2024 The county’s second leading rusher took five straight handoffs and proceeded to close the deal. Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2024 The except to that was a five-song set by Eric Clapton, with his own touring band stepping in for the house band, which finally got to take five near the top of the final hour. Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for take five 

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of take five was in 1916

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 30 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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