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Vinony

take the Fifth

  1. refuse to answer a question and exercising a right to remain silent
L1225763 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

verb

Etymology: A reference to the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which, among other provisions (e.g., prohibition of double jeopardy), protects individuals from being compelled to testify against themselves (i.e., self-incrimination).

  1. 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.”

    ““Do you believe the violence on January 6 was justified morally?” she asked. Flynn squinted, truculent. “Take the Fifth,” he said.”