take a number

1.
General EnglishUSUKinformalidiomatic
- To obtain a numbered ticket or be assigned a place in a queue, indicating that one must wait one's turn.
- To enter a waiting list or be placed in sequential order for service.
2.
General Englishinformalcolloquial
- To tell someone to wait their turn or be patient, often used figuratively to indicate they must follow the established order.
3.
General Englishneutral
- To select or order an item identified by a number, as on a menu, in a catalog, or on an order form.
4.
General Englishneutral
- To travel on or board a public-transport route identified by a specific number (e.g., to take bus number 59).

Examples: