take the fifth, v. phr.
To refuse to answer questions because the answers would get one in trouble. This idiom comes from a law, the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution, which says courts cannot force a person to answer questions that would get that person into trouble. The idiom is sometimes used outside courtrooms. Also: plead the Fifth.
• When the witness got into court, she said she was taking the Fifth, that she would not answer the lawyers’ questions.
• “Did you eat the whole cake?” “I, uh, I’ll have to take the Fifth on that question.”
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