take the fifth
Grab one more
Take the fifth means to invoke the Fifth Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution, which protects against self-incrimination—the right to remain silent rather than testify against oneself in legal proceedings.
In everyday speech, it's used humorously to decline answering any awkward question: Where were you last night? I'm taking the fifth.
Judicial examination of claims
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
- judgeOne who decides
- juryLegal decision-making body
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
defense · attorney · lawyer · defendant · accused · criminal case · indictment · arraignment
Implicating yourself criminally
- Miranda warningRequired police custody notification
- constitutionalHealth-promoting walk
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
- rightsJustified claims to freedoms
due process · Bill of Rights · invoke · criminal procedure · defendant rights · legal protection · civil liberties · constitutional right
One who attests
- testifyGive sworn evidence
- standUpright support structure
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
sworn statement · interrogation · questioning · grand jury · hearing · under oath · witness stand · examination
Ask urgently or formally
- declineDecrease or refuse
- invokeCall upon formally
- withholdRefuse to give
- non-disclosureMandated secrecy obligation
remain silent · stonewalling · evasion · uncooperative · tight-lipped · clammed up · no comment
trial
Judicial examination of claims
prosecution · defense · attorney · lawyer · defendant · accused · criminal case · indictment · arraignment · verdict
self-incrimination
Implicating yourself criminally
- Miranda warningRequired police custody notification
- constitutionalHealth-promoting walk
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
rights · due process · Bill of Rights · invoke · criminal procedure · defendant rights · legal protection · civil liberties · constitutional right
witness
One who attests
- testifyGive sworn evidence
- standUpright support structure
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
deposition · sworn statement · interrogation · questioning · grand jury · hearing · under oath · witness stand · examination · subpoena
plead
Ask urgently or formally
remain silent · non-disclosure · stonewalling · evasion · uncooperative · tight-lipped · clammed up · no comment
mute
Without voice or sound
- speechlessUnable to talk
- wordlessLacking spoken content
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
taciturn · uncommunicative · reserved · unspoken · withheld · hush · quiet · secretive · guarded · evasive
take the fifthtestify
Give sworn evidence
confess · self-incriminate · give testimony · speak freely · spill the beans
take the fifthcome clean
Admit the full truth
spill · bare one's soul · tell the truth · fess up · dish
take, takes, taken, taking, taker, takers, fifth, fifths, fifteen