Give me five: Learn what the means through example!

What does “Give me five” mean?

"Give me five" means a request to give the speaker a "high five," that is, to slap their hand with one's own, as in a show of congratulation or celebration. "Five" refers to the hand's five fingers.

What context can I use the in?

Example

After scoring the winning goal, his teammates lined up to give him five.

Example

As they crossed the finish line, the runners gave each other five.

Example

The coach walked over to give the player five for a job well done.

Is “Give me five” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Give me five” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Give me five” effectively in context?

You can use "Give me five" to ask someone to give you a "high five" as a form of congratulation or celebration. It is commonly used in informal settings among friends, family, and teammates. For example, if you just won a game, you might say, 'We did it! Come on, "give me five"!'

• 1. Sports

  After scoring the winning goal, his teammates lined up to give him five.

• 2. Race

  As they crossed the finish line, the runners gave each other five.

• 3. Achievement

  The coach walked over to give the player five for a job well done.

Similar phrases to “Give me five”:

High five

A celebratory gesture where two people slap their hands together

Example

They exchanged a high five after completing the project successfully.

Slap hands

To hit someone's hand with one's own as a form of congratulation or greeting

Example

They slapped hands to celebrate their victory.

Fist bump

A gesture where two people touch closed fists together as a form of greeting or celebration

Example

They greeted each other with a fist bump before starting the game.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Give me five” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Give me five" is unknown. It is believed to have originated in the United States in the mid-20th century as a way to request a "high five," which is a celebratory gesture where two people slap their hands together.

Is “Give me five” common in everyday conversation?

"Give me five" is a very common expression in everyday conversation, especially among younger people and in informal settings. It is frequently used to celebrate achievements or show support and encouragement.

What tone does “Give me five” have?

"Give me five" conveys a tone of excitement, celebration, and camaraderie. It is often used in a positive and enthusiastic context to acknowledge success or show appreciation.

Can “Give me five” be used in informal and formal settings?

"Give me five" is an informal expression that is typically used in casual conversations and friendly interactions. It may not be appropriate in formal or professional settings, where a more formal congratulatory gesture or phrase would be more suitable.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

"Give me five" is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'Let's celebrate our victory! "Give me five"!' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Hey, "give me five"!' to request a high five.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

• congratulate me
• celebrate with me
• acknowledge my success
• cheer me on

Antonyms

• leave me hanging
• ignore me
• reject my celebration
• refuse to acknowledge