ENGLISH
REFERENCE

take silk

idiom
Meaning

to be appointed as a Queen's Counsel (QC) or King's Counsel (KC)


Origin

disputed origin

In reference to the silk gowns they wear.

Examples
SIMPLE

The senior lawyer decided to take silk this year.

CONTEXTUAL

After twenty years of successful courtroom practice, she finally applied to take silk and become a King's Counsel.

COMPLEX

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.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  2. 02

    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.

  3. 03

    give and take

    A process of compromise or accommodation.

  4. 04

    give someone an inch and someone will take a mile

    Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

  5. 05

    I take it

    Used to express one's understanding of another's position.

  6. 06

    kick ass and take names

    To beat someone in a competition, fight, or other situation.

  7. 07

    let nature take its course

    To permit events to proceed or a situation to develop without intervention or interference.

  8. 08

    make a silk purse of a sow's ear

    To produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value.

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