plead the Fifth
Americanidiom
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to refuse to provide testimony that may incriminate oneself in a court of law.
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to refuse to answer a question with the implication that the answer has consequences one wishes to avoid.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They can advise you to plead the Fifth Amendment, but that's just dodging a bullet because the prosecutor can give you immunity from prosecution, which effectively compels you to testify truthfully.
From Salon • Feb. 18, 2023
The committee wants Clark to plead the Fifth Amendment on a question-by-question basis, unlike his first deposition when he and his lawyer abruptly left.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 3, 2021
Holmes’ lawyers have tried to get sections of a prior deposition from Balwani admitted as evidence in this case, because they say his lawyers told them he would plead the Fifth.
From The Verge • Nov. 29, 2021
Alternatively, he could continue to cite a faulty recollection of key events or even plead the Fifth, potentially placing himself in further legal jeopardy.
From Slate • Nov. 19, 2019
Mr Scott had wished to plead the Fifth Amendment, which would have allowed him to avoid testimony that may incriminate him, but a judge rejected that request and instead offered immunity.
From BBC • Jun. 20, 2019
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
