English Explanatory Dictionary

take the fifth

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb

To decline to comment, especially on grounds that it might be incriminating.

verb

Alternative letter-case form of take the fifth.

Pronunciation

En-au-take the fifth.ogg

Word forms

take the fifth takes the fifth taking the fifth took the fifth taken the fifth

Etymology

A reference to the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which, among other provisions (e.g., prohibition of double jeopardy), protects individuals from being compelled to testify against themselves (i.e., self-incrimination).

Synonyms

plead the Fifth

Related words

no comment

← take the cure
← take the easy way out
← take the edge off
← take the fall
← take the field

take the flak →
take the floor →
take the front seat →
take the game to →
take the gap →

This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.

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