take the Fifth

Idioms  

1. Refuse to answer on the grounds that one may incriminate oneself, as in He took the Fifth on so many of the prosecutor's questions that we're sure he's guilty. This idiom refers to the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states that no person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself or herself. [Mid-1900s]

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Example Sentences

Anwar said she did not appear in court “due to the nature and content of the petition,” as well as her decision to take the Fifth Amendment, she wrote in an email to The Times.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2025

CNN legal analyst Norm Eisen told Acosta that he doesn't expect Trump to "take the Fifth."

From Salon • Nov. 6, 2023

“If he wants to take the Fifth, he has every right to do that, although he hasn’t indicated that he plans to do so,” Rapallo said Thursday.

From Washington Post • Jun. 23, 2022

“For a former president and potential candidate for the office to take the Fifth would really be remarkable,” said Stephen Gillers, a law professor at New York University.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 17, 2022

"You cannot call a witness to the stand in a trial that is going to take the Fifth Amendment," Cardoza explained.

From Fox News • Aug. 7, 2021