takes the fifth
Declines to answer
Takes the fifth means to invoke the Fifth Amendment of the U.S.
Constitution, which protects against self-incrimination—the right to refuse answering questions that might implicate oneself in a crime.
In everyday speech, it's often used humorously to decline answering any awkward or embarrassing question: When asked who ate the last piece of cake, he took the fifth.
- Bill of RightsInitial constitutional amendments guaranteeing freedoms
- silenceTotal lack of sound
- evasionAct of escaping detection
- self-incriminationImplicating yourself criminally
- withholdingKeeping from another
incriminating evidence · judge · court of law · constitutional law · legal protection · refusal · immunity · deposition · due process · Miranda rights · perjury · question · cross-examination · sworn testimony · privilege · secrecy · hesitation · witness
takes the fifthconfesses
Acknowledges wrongdoing openly
self-incriminates · testifies · tells all · spills the beans · comes clean
take, takes, taken, taking, taker, takers, fifth, fifths, fifteen