take the floor

Idioms  

1. Rise to speak formally to an assembled group, as in After that long introduction, the treasurer took the floor. This idiom uses floor in the sense of “right to speak,” in turn derived from its meaning as the part of the legislature from which members address the group. [c. 1800]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

take the floor

Rather, Merkley would eliminate what’s come to be called “the silent filibuster” and force lawmakers to actually take the floor and publicly press their case until they prevail, give up or physically give out.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2025

As the Wizards head into the All-Star break, Sheppard is right that Beal, Kuzma and Porzingis haven’t been able to consistently take the floor together.

From Washington Times ● Feb. 16, 2023

Their athletic director will then take the floor before BYU volleyball’s next home game, with a microphone in his right hand and small piece of blue paper in his left.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 29, 2022

When Washington State and Texas A&M meet Tuesday night in the semifinal round of the NIT, two of the country’s top defensive units will take the floor at Madison Square Garden.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 28, 2022

Explicit resentment of his course would have made him take the floor, and the thump of his fist on the table would have affirmed him as consciously incorruptible.

From The Ambassadors by Henry James

Related Words

• call
• discuss
• talk