take the fifth

English

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.

Verb

take the fifth

(idiomatic) To decline to comment, especially on grounds that it might be incriminating.
If you ask me who ate the last of the ice cream, I will simply take the fifth.

Synonyms

plead the fifth

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