take the floor
Verb phrase: 1. To rise in order to make a speech or motion: To formally stand up or begin speaking in a public setting, especially in a formal debate, meeting, or legislative assembly. 2. To stand up to dance: To get up from one's seat and begin dancing, typically at a social event like a party or a dance.
To speak formally: After the chairperson recognized her, she took the floor to present her argument. The senator took the floor to propose an amendment to the bill.
To begin dancing: As the band started playing a waltz, several couples took the floor. He was shy, but eventually he took the floor with his partner.
"To have the floor": To be the person who is currently speaking in a formal debate or meeting, having been granted the right to do so. The delegate had the floor for ten minutes to explain his position.
"To yield the floor": To formally give up one's right to speak, allowing someone else to begin. After finishing his remarks, the speaker yielded the floor to questions.
- Floor (n): In a formal context, this refers to the right to speak in a deliberative assembly. In a social context, it refers to the area designated for dancing.
- Floor speech (n): A formal address given by a legislator in a parliamentary setting.
- Address the assembly: To speak to the gathered group.
- Rise to speak: To stand up to give a speech.
- Step onto the dance floor: To begin dancing.
- Take the stage: To step forward to perform or speak publicly (similar in concept for speaking, but implies a stage rather than a meeting floor).
- Hit the dance floor: An informal synonym for standing up to dance.
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rise in order to make a speech or motion
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stand up to dance