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
The concrete work took five years to build and was finished in 1931.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 25 Apr. 2025
Once started, construction is expected to take five months and cost $4.5 million to build, according to records filed with the state.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2025
Delgado notes that some cats can take five to 10 play sessions before they get used to a brand-new toy.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
To do that, the Citizens Budget Commission urges the city to take five critical, proactive steps.
—Andrew Rein, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take five
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Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 25 Apr. 2025
Once started, construction is expected to take five months and cost $4.5 million to build, according to records filed with the state.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2025
Delgado notes that some cats can take five to 10 play sessions before they get used to a brand-new toy.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
To do that, the Citizens Budget Commission urges the city to take five critical, proactive steps.
—Andrew Rein, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 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 3 May. 2025.
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