Take This - Again! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Remain down while the ref counts to ten

Used in boxing, "take the count" means to be knocked out, or to remain down while the referee counts to ten, according to the "Vocabulary.com Dictionary". Either way the implication is that the person lost the fight! Synonyms for the term include "be worsted" or "take a beating", as found in "Thesaurus.com". "The wrestler is really taking a beating. It's time for him to take the count".

Answer: Become a nun

The word "veil" comes from the 1200s Anglo-French and Old North French "veil" or "voile", as stated in the "Online Etymology Dictionary", and was defined as nun's heading covering. It is believed that the term "to take the veil" comes from the early 1400s. "We believe that if anything ever happens to King Arthur, Queen Guinevere will take the veil". Legends say that after Arthur's death, Guinevere did retire to a convent, where she prayed and helped the poor.

Answer: Go for a walk

People may "take the air" for a variety of reasons. Sometimes a good walk is said to help digestion; however, it has been proven that walking helps to promote a healthy lifestyle. The "Oxford Living Dictionary" includes a long list of synonyms, such as stroll, saunter, and hike. "Every day we like to take the air after we eat supper".

Answer: Give testimony in a court of law

The word "stand" is from the Old English "standan", meant to "occupy a place; stand firm; congeal; stay, continue, abide...." as seen in the "Online Etymology Dictionary". The term "stand down", is a reference to courtroom witnesses that dates from as early as the 1680s, meaning to finish one's testimony. Today to "take the stand", means to testify in a court of law as a witness; the "stand" may refer to a chair or other specified area in the courtroom. "We waited all day at the courthouse for our turn to take the stand".

Answer: Rank first - in either an excessively good or bad way

According to "The Phrase Finder", many people think "take the cake" originated with the cake walk competitions in the United States, which date from the 1800s. Couples would be judged on their style as they walked around; many times the prize for winning was a cake! There is evidence, however, that the phrase may go all the way back ancient Greece, where the phrase was symbolic of taking the prize in victory. "Take the biscuit" has a similar meaning, but it is used more when the outcome is a complete surprise. "The behavior of that cheeky boy certainly takes the cake"!

Answer: Refuse to testify as a witness against oneself

This phrase is a reference to the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which, in part, protects a person from having to serve as a witness against himself in a criminal case. The idiom, "take the Fifth" or "pleading the Fifth", then, is the response to a question that the person does not want to answer when they fear the answer may incriminating. If a person decides to testify against himself in court, he loses the privilege of being able to "take the Fifth". "Whose mom makes the best cookies in the neighborhood? Sorry, I have to take the Fifth on that answer"!

Answer: Face difficulty head-on

"The Free Dictionary" states that the etymology of "take the bull by the horns" is "based on the idea that holding a bull (male cow) by its horns is a brave and direct action". While some sources think the origin of the phrase is in bullfighting ("History By Zim"), others say it originated with American cowboys in the 1800s. "The health care issue in the United States is very complicated these days. We will have to take the bull by the horns to decide on the best course of action for us".

Answer: Go off to war

While many see the phrase "take the field" as relating to modern-day sports teams, the "Free Online Dictionary" also uses the phrase to refer to the beginning or resumption of a military action. The "Online Etymology Dictionary" states that the use of the world "field" in regard to military action and battleground dates to the 1300s. "The code of chivalry required the knights to wait for everyone to take the field before a battle could begin".

Answer: Give traveling theatrical performances

The Old English "rad" meant a "riding expedition, journey, hostile incursion," as noted in the "Online Etymology Dictionary". The phrase "on the road" has meant some sort of traveling since the 1640s. "The Free Dictionary" states that "take the road" means to give a series of theatrical performances while traveling from town to town. "I think we have all the costumes and props loaded up.

It's time to take the road"!

Answer: Attract attention to oneself

"The Free Dictionary" writes that to "take the stage" means "to become the center of attention; to become the focus of everyone's attention". The term can also mean "to walk on stage", according to "Merriam Webster". "The featured band is ready to take the stage".