take a number
English
[edit]Pronunciation
[edit]Audio (General Australian): (file)
Verb
[edit]take a number (third-person singular simple present takes a number, present participle taking a number, simple past took a number, past participle taken a number)
- To queue; to wait to be served by being assigned a number and waiting for that number to be called after all previous numbers have been served in order of assignment.
- (idiomatic) To recognize that many others are in the same situation; recognize that one's concerns are not of high priority; be prepared to wait.
- 1994 September 12, Stryker McGuire et al., “Sale Of The Century?”, in Newsweek:
- Wanna buy a television network? Take a number. A few years ago you would have had the field to yourself.
- 2000 August 8, Tony Karon, “Chile Exorcises the Specter of Pinochet”, in Time:
- Even if they did decide to prosecute, the Justice Department would have to take a number and stand in a very long line.