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
Related Articles The device can generate millions of different shades, Wilson told WWD, and took five years to perfect.
—James Manso, WWD, 27 Feb. 2025
Around 30% of public schools in Prince George's County were forced to close last week due to a water main break, and PGCPS has taken five snow days.
March 17 will be used as a makeup day, and the school year is extended until at least June 18.
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 18 Feb. 2025
The hotel is historic (the restoration of the property took five years) but the aesthetic leans avant-garde, with works of art that feel as though they’ve been plucked straight from La Biennale di Venezia rather than a museum.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2025
Even Scheifele, a No. 7 pick, took five years from draft day to emerge as a top-line centre at 23 years old.
—Murat Ates, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take five
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James Manso, WWD, 27 Feb. 2025
Around 30% of public schools in Prince George's County were forced to close last week due to a water main break, and PGCPS has taken five snow days.
March 17 will be used as a makeup day, and the school year is extended until at least June 18.
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 18 Feb. 2025
The hotel is historic (the restoration of the property took five years) but the aesthetic leans avant-garde, with works of art that feel as though they’ve been plucked straight from La Biennale di Venezia rather than a museum.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2025
Even Scheifele, a No. 7 pick, took five years from draft day to emerge as a top-line centre at 23 years old.
—Murat Ates, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 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 9 Mar. 2025.
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