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Synonyms

take five

Idioms  

  1. Relax, take some time off from what one is doing, as in We've been at it long enough; let's take five. This term is short for “take five minutes off.” [Slang; first half of 1900s] For a synonym, see take a break.

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.

Animated movies such as Pixar’s recent hit “Hoppers” can take five years to make.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Second, use the “5-5-5” breathing method: When you’re stressed in the middle of a trade, close your eyes and take five deep breaths, five times, holding each for five seconds.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 28, 2026

"This for me is re-refereeing the game. They are both going at it. It might be right, but I don't think we should be taking away goals for this. Why take five minutes?"

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2026

"We just wanted to be clinical, finish off the series and take it home," said the 31-year-old, who became the first New Zealander to take five four-wicket hauls in T20 internationals.

From Barron's • Nov. 13, 2025

We each take five, leaving eight in reserve.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

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.