take the floor

idiomatic phrase

1

: to rise (as in a meeting or a legislative assembly) to begin speaking to a group

With Lott and Gramm staring at him as he took the floor during debate, McCain called the bill "seriously skewed," but said he would vote for it.

—Newsweek

At precisely 6:45 a.m. the rowdiness ceases as Sailor, a union safety expert, takes the floor for his weekly lecture.

—Jack Friedman

2

: to go out onto a dance floor to begin dancing

Several couples took the floor.

… the younger people took the floor, and all the elders sneaked back to their chairs …

—Sinclair Lewis

3

: to go out onto a basketball court to begin playing

Phillips hopes the scouts notice his quickness, his vision, … the way he changes the flow of a game as soon as he takes the floor.

—John Gustafson

Examples of take the floor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But Brandon Ingram has yet to take the floor since being acquired at the trade deadline. —Law Murray, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025

The Thunder struggled in the short span in which the team was without both of its top centers — going 3-2 in those five games — but has been dominant since Hartenstein took the floor for the first time. —Nick Crain, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024

Now, Robinson appears ready to take the floor again. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025

Mixed Pro Doubles Recap With both members of the No. 1 Mixed team opting out of Singles, Anna Leigh Waters & Ben Johns both took the floor for the first time this weekend in the Mixed draw. —Todd Boss, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for take the floor

• conquistador
• forevermore
• hereinbefore
• kinetochore
• kwashiorkor
• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor