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
In the home and away dressing rooms hang the famous honours boards where century makers or bowlers who have taken five wickets in an innings — Bumrah has now joined the list — or 10 wickets in a match have their names inscribed.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 11 July 2025
The accelerated program would take five months to complete, German said, and she would be paid about $21 an hour for the 160-hour internship if she was accepted.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2025
The jury took five days to deliberate in seemingly contentious circumstances.
—Christine Pelisek, People.com, 11 June 2025
Traditional affordable housing can cost taxpayers up to $1 million per unit and take five to seven years to complete.
—Saad Asad, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for take five
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Tim Spiers, New York Times, 11 July 2025
The accelerated program would take five months to complete, German said, and she would be paid about $21 an hour for the 160-hour internship if she was accepted.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2025
The jury took five days to deliberate in seemingly contentious circumstances.
—Christine Pelisek, People.com, 11 June 2025
Traditional affordable housing can cost taxpayers up to $1 million per unit and take five to seven years to complete.
—Saad Asad, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 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 26 Jul. 2025.
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