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]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

take the Fifth

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

“I don’t know if it was like cruelty, but they’re like, if you’re going to take the Fifth, we’re going to watch you,” one of the jurors said.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 15, 2023

"I did not take the Fifth for that testimony or any question within that testimony!"

From Salon ● Dec. 8, 2022

“He does intend to take the Fifth Amendment beyond saying what he does for a living,” attorney Shawn Holley said in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 18, 2021

Legal analyst Michael Cardoza noted that Peterson could take the Fifth Amendment, and a judge would then prevent the testimony.

From Fox News ● Aug. 7, 2021