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

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

The New York Knicks won’t be as desperate when they take the floor in Indianapolis for Game 3 earlier in the evening.

From Seattle Times ● May 9, 2024

Representatives of each parliamentary group will then take the floor and Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne will conclude the debate.

From New York Times ● Mar. 20, 2023

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

Why so savagely sarcastic, That we will not "take the floor" And account the "light fantastic" An unmitigated bore?

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 101, November 21, 1891 by Various

Related Words

• call
• discuss
• talk