take the fifth: meaning & examples

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Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    United Stateslegalformal
    • To invoke the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and refuse to answer questions in a legal proceeding.
    • To decline to give testimony or information on the ground that doing so might self-incriminate.

    Examples

    Beta

    • During the hearing, the witness chose to take the fifth and refused to answer several questions.

      Durante la audiencia, el testigo decidió acogerse a la quinta enmienda y se negó a responder varias preguntas.

    • I would have taken the fifth if I felt the questions were trying to trap me legally.

      Yo me habría acogido a la quinta si hubiera sentido que las preguntas intentaban atraparme legalmente.

    • The defendant advised his lawyer that he planned to take the fifth to avoid self-incrimination.

      El acusado le indicó a su abogado que planeaba acogerse a la quinta enmienda para evitar autoincriminarse.

  • 2.

    USgeneralinformalcolloquial
    • To refuse to answer a question, especially to avoid discussing an awkward or incriminating matter, used figuratively outside formal legal contexts.

    Examples

    Beta

    • When asked about her relationship with the company, Jane took the fifth, avoiding any direct comments.

      Cuando le preguntaron sobre su relación con la empresa, Jane se negó a responder para evitar comentarios directos.

    • He took the fifth when his friends pressed him about the party mishap, not wanting to get involved.

      Se negó a hablar cuando sus amigos le preguntaron sobre el desastre en la fiesta, sin querer involucrarse.

    • Sometimes people take the fifth just to dodge uncomfortable questions, even outside courtrooms.

      A veces las personas se niegan a responder solo para evitar preguntas incómodas, incluso fuera de los tribunales.

Examples:

  • EN: Then I'll have to take the fifth.
    ES: Pues me acojo a la 5ª enmienda.
  • EN: - I take the fifth.
    ES: - Yo tomo la quinta.
  • EN: Maybe I should take the fifth?
    ES: ¿Me debería acoger a la quinta enmienda?
  • EN: I take the fifth commandment.
    ES: Que tomo el quinto mandamiento.
  • EN: - I'll take the fifth...
    ES: - Invoco la quinta enmienda.
  • EN: - I take the fifth...
    ES: - Invoco la quinta enmienda.
  • EN: - You can take the fifth -- or take an eighth.
    ES: Puedes tomar la quinta enmienda. ¿Cuánta...?
  • EN: - I take the fifth because...
    ES: - Me amparo en la 5ta. enmienda.
  • EN: But if you do refuse to cooperate, take the fifth, or retain legal counsel, I'm required to contact the U.S. Attorney's office and they're required to open a grand-jury investigation.
    ES: Pero si se rehúsa a cooperar, se apega a la quinta enmienda, o contrata consejería legal, se me requiere que contacte a la oficina del Fiscal General y a ellos se le requiere que abran una investigación con un Gran Jurado.
  • EN: She'd probably take the fifth.
    ES: Ella probablemente habrá tomado el quinto.
  • EN: I take the fifth.
    ES: Y tomo un quinto.
    ES: Me acojo a la quinta.
  • EN: Can I take the fifth on that one?
    ES: ¿Puedo acogerme a la quinta?
  • EN: You can't take the fifth, Mr. Santana.
    ES: No se puede acoger a la quinta, Sr. Santana.
  • EN: You will take the fifth.
    ES: Tomarás la quinta enmienda.
  • EN: "I'll take the fifth amendment"
    ES: (Le imita) "Me acojo a la quinta enmienda."

Related Idioms

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Sourced from Wiktionary

Source: Wiktionary