take silk
to be appointed as a Queen's Counsel (QC) or King's Counsel (KC)
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The senior lawyer decided to take silk this year.”
“After twenty years of successful courtroom practice, she finally applied to take silk and become a King's Counsel.”
“Following a distinguished career marked by numerous high-profile victories, the barrister formally took silk, assuming the prestigious role of King's Counsel before the assembled court.”
In reference to the silk gowns they wear.
- 01
be taken ill
To become ill.
- 02
cross to take up
Alternative form of cross to bear.
- 03
forget to take one's medication this morning
To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.
- 04
get taken in
To be fooled; to fall for.
- 05
give and take
A process of compromise or accommodation.
- 06
give someone an inch and someone will take a mile
Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.
- 07
have one's name taken
To receive a yellow card.
- 08
I take it
Used to express one's understanding of another's position.
Last updated August 10, 2026