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take the fifth. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
take the fifth, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
take the fifth in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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take the fifth, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
A reference to the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which states, among other things, that it may not be required of one to testify against oneself.
Pronunciation
Verb
take the fifth (third-person singular simple present takes the fifth, present participle taking the fifth, simple past took the fifth, past participle taken the fifth)
- (idiomatic) To decline to comment, especially on grounds that it might be incriminating.
If you ask me who ate the last of the ice cream, I will simply take the fifth.
2022 July 8, Barton Gellman, quoting Michael Flynn, “What Happened to Michael Flynn?”, in The Atlantic:“Do you believe the violence on January 6 was justified morally?” she asked. Flynn squinted, truculent. “Take the Fifth,” he said.
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