How to Pronounce "take the fifth"
expression
TAYK thuh FIFTH, TAYK thee FIFTH, TAYK thuh FIFTH, TAYK thuh FITH
TAYK thuh FIFTH, TAYK thee FIFTH
Definition
To refuse to answer a question because it might incriminate yourself, referencing the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Used literally in legal situations and more generally to avoid answering uncomfortable questions.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈteɪk/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈfɪfθ/, /ˈfɪθ
British English
tˈeɪk/ /ðə, ði/ /fˈɪfθ
Simplified Pronunciation
US
TAYK thuh FIFTH, TAYK thee FIFTH, TAYK thuh FIFTH, TAYK thuh FITH
UK
TAYK thuh FIFTH, TAYK thee FIFTH
Listen in Context
When the police asked him about the crime, he decided to take the fifth.
I don’t want to answer that question, so I’ll take the fifth.
Sometimes, witnesses in court take the fifth to protect themselves.
Who ate the last cookie? Uh... I'd rather take the fifth!