take the fifth

== English == === Alternative forms === take the Fifth === Etymology === A reference to the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which states, among other things, that it may not be required of one to testify against oneself. === Pronunciation === === Verb === take the fifth (third-person singular simple present takes the fifth, present participle taking the fifth, simple past took the fifth, past participle taken the fifth) (idiomatic) To decline to comment, especially on grounds that it might be incriminating. ==== Synonyms ==== plead the Fifth ==== Related terms ==== no comment