# take silk

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/take-silk
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- 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.

## Origin

In reference to the silk gowns they wear.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.