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
However, Leeds have taken five points from the available 12 in their past four Championship games and Aaronson has to be the first of that very productive front four on the chopping block.
—Beren Cross, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
By the numbers: In a correction, on average the market takes five months to fall from peak to bottom, and then four months to bounce back, per Clearnomics data shared by Covenant Wealth Advisors.
—Ben Berkowitz, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
Driving to Grey’s Beach, on Cape Cod Bay, takes five minutes, and a post office, a small market, and a public library are within walking distance.
—Angela Serratore, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
United did not say how much the stadium would cost or reveal a timeline for its completion, but architect Norman Foster said building work would take five years.
—James Robson, Chicago Tribune, 11 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.
Beren Cross, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
By the numbers: In a correction, on average the market takes five months to fall from peak to bottom, and then four months to bounce back, per Clearnomics data shared by Covenant Wealth Advisors.
—Ben Berkowitz, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
Driving to Grey’s Beach, on Cape Cod Bay, takes five minutes, and a post office, a small market, and a public library are within walking distance.
—Angela Serratore, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
United did not say how much the stadium would cost or reveal a timeline for its completion, but architect Norman Foster said building work would take five years.
—James Robson, Chicago Tribune, 11 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 29 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share