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

On Saturday, the Kaseya Center pulsed with music and ambition as hundreds of dancers took the floor for the Miami Heat dancers open auditions. —Miami Herald Newsroom, Miami Herald, 26 July 2025

During lunch, Liu took the floor to present a portrait of Steinem painted by Megan Gabrielle for the issue, and delivered an impassioned call to action. —Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 25 July 2025

Detroit mayoral candidates will take the floor in a forum on the evening of Wednesday, July 9, tackling their promises to the small business community. —Dana Afana, Freep.com, 9 July 2025

Several of the most intriguing players on the Thunder’s NBA Summer League roster won’t be taking the floor due to injury. —Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 5 July 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