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

This month, Watkins and Davidson finally were able to take the floor together, just as Gottlieb had envisioned.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2026

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

“I think we’re a team that when we take the floor, we have a chance to beat anybody we play. We’re learning that about ourselves.”

From Seattle Times • Jan. 22, 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

I think he would like to take the floor.

From The Statesmen Snowbound by Fitzgerald, Robert

Related Words

• call
• discuss
• talk