take the fifth amendment

• Expresión jurídica estadounidense que significa negarse a responder una pregunta o declarar, invocando el derecho contra la autoincriminación garantizado por la Quinta Enmienda de la Constitución de los Estados Unidos.

An American legal expression meaning to refuse to answer a question or testify, based on the right guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to avoid self-incrimination.

1. Refuse to testifyC1formalamerican

   To choose not to answer a question or give evidence, especially in a legal context, by invoking the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects against self-incrimination.

   acogerse a la Quinta Enmienda

   • When asked about the missing funds, the suspect decided to take the fifth amendment.
   • The witness took the fifth amendment rather than answer the prosecutor's question.
   • He refused to comment, effectively taking the fifth amendment.

2. Avoid answering a questionB2informalamerican

   To avoid answering a difficult or incriminating question in any context, not just legal.

   acogerse a la quinta enmienda

   • When his girlfriend asked where he was last night, he took the fifth amendment.
   • The politician took the fifth amendment when reporters asked about the scandal.
   • I'll take the fifth amendment on that question, if you don't mind.