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
For ancient sites, local governance takes five days to issue a permit for full closure, while locations dependent on military support take up to 10 days.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
The bakery is particularly beloved for its Salt-Rise Bread, which takes five days to make.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Planning for clinical trials, running the trials, writing up the results, and then waiting for permission to market the device can take five years.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
The climb is categorized as AD, or moderately difficult, and usually takes five to seven days.
—Ally Jaksen, Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take five
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Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
The bakery is particularly beloved for its Salt-Rise Bread, which takes five days to make.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Planning for clinical trials, running the trials, writing up the results, and then waiting for permission to market the device can take five years.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
The climb is categorized as AD, or moderately difficult, and usually takes five to seven days.
—Ally Jaksen, Outside, 4 Nov. 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 12 Nov. 2025.
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