Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
take a number en · VERB
Pronunciation
Meanings
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(literally) 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.
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(figuratively) To recognize that many others are in the same situation; to recognize that one's concerns are not of high priority; to be prepared to wait.
Even if they did decide to prosecute, the Justice Department would have to take a number and stand in a very long line.
2000 August 8, Tony Karon, “Chile Exorcises the Specter of Pinochet”, in Time:Wanna buy a television network? Take a number. A few years ago you would have had the field to yourself.
1994 September 12, Stryker McGuire et al., “Sale Of The Century?”, in Newsweek:
Forms
Relateds
take a seat · take a back seat