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
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The Baden State Museum is closing its doors for a renovation of the landmark palace that houses it; the restoration is expected to take five years to complete. Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 30 Dec. 2024 Leicester themselves, who had the lowest xG for and highest xG against in Season Two, yet still took five points from four games. Duncan Alexander, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024 Per a release on Dec. 12, the sheriff’s office took five families facing hardships shopping for Christmas presents this year. Raven Brunner, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024 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 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 3 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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