My lips are sealed

[1243] Take five / Take ten

🎲 The usual
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • An instruction or suggestion to take a short break, typically lasting five or ten minutes, respectively.
  • Often used in work, rehearsal, or group activity settings.

Origin

  • Likely originated in the mid-20th century in workplaces or performance rehearsals (music, theater).
  • Refers directly to the duration of the break in minutes.
  • Popularized further by the famous jazz piece Take Five (composed by Paul Desmond, performed by The Dave Brubeck Quartet), released in 1959, which is in 5/4 time, though the title also plays on the idiom for taking a break.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Take a break. (More general)
  • Let's have a short break.
  • Coffee break. / Smoke break. (Specifies the type of break)
  • Recess. (More common in schools)
  • Time out. (Can mean a break, but also a disciplinary action for children)
  • Stand easy. (Military command to relax briefly)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Gimme five/ten. (If requesting the break for oneself)
  • Break time!
  • Let's chill for a few.

Milder/Standard:

  • Let's pause for a few minutes.
  • Shall we have a short intermission? (More formal/performance context)

(No common vulgar alternatives just for suggesting a short break.)

    Situational Appropriateness

    • Informal to semi-formal.
    • Very common in workplaces (especially manual labor, creative fields, long meetings), rehearsals, workshops, classes.
    • Take five is more common than take ten, but both are understood.

    Misunderstanding Warnings

    • Generally very clear. The numbers refer directly to minutes.

    Examples

    • Okay team, let's take five. Grab some water and stretch.
    • We've been rehearsing for two hours straight. Everybody take ten.
    • I need to clear my head. I'm gonna take five.

    Dialogue

    Director: Alright actors, that scene was much better, but let's refine the blocking. First, everybody take five.

    Actor 1: Thank goodness, I need some coffee.

    Actor 2: Meet back on stage in five?

    Director: Exactly.

    Social Media Examples

    • Tweet from a band during practice: Long rehearsal today! Time to take five. 🎸 #BandLife #BreakTime
    • Work Chat: Okay, brain overload from this spreadsheet. I'm gonna take ten and get some fresh air.
    • Online Course Video: We've covered a lot. Feel free to pause the video here and take five before the next module.

    Response Patterns

    • Agreement/Compliance: Okay, great. / Sounds good. / Finally! / Alright.
    • Action: People usually stop what they are doing and take a break (get coffee, use the restroom, chat).
    • Question: Okay, back here at [time]?

    Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

    After suggesting the break:

    • Someone might clarify the restart time: So, reconvene at quarter past?
    • People take their break.

    The person who called the break often signals when it's time to resume: Okay everyone, break's over! / Alright, let's get back to it.

      Conversation Starter

      • No. Used to pause an ongoing activity.

      Intonation

      • Usually said in a clear, directive, or suggestive tone.
      • Can be casual and friendly.
      • Emphasis on five or ten. Let's take FIVE.

      Generation Differences

      • Widely understood and used across generations, especially in relevant contexts (work, rehearsals).

      Regional Variations

      • Common in North American and British/Commonwealth English.
      My lips are sealed
      🎲 The usual