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
Out of the top 20 snowiest months, February snowfalls take five of the top 10 spots, more than any other month.
—Karen Carter, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
The vehicle recommended charging only to 80%, but even that took five hours and cost about $30.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
The process took five hours in total.
—Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 6 Feb. 2026
As someone who has botched a Valentine's Day or two, go ahead and take five with me and check that out.
—Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for take five
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Karen Carter, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
The vehicle recommended charging only to 80%, but even that took five hours and cost about $30.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
The process took five hours in total.
—Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 6 Feb. 2026
As someone who has botched a Valentine's Day or two, go ahead and take five with me and check that out.
—Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 4 Feb. 2026
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 14 Feb. 2026.
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