five-second rule

noun4

1. •
   Any rule that allows or prohibits certain behavior for five seconds after some event.
2. •
   A rule that a closely-guarded player cannot hold the ball for more than five seconds without dribbling, passing, rolling, or shooting the ball.
3. •
   A rule that a player who throws in the ball from out of bounds must get rid of it in less than five seconds.
4. •
   (informal) The belief that food dropped on the ground is still hygienic to eat provided it is picked up within five seconds of touching the ground.

   • UNFORTUNATELY, THE FIVE-SECOND RULE IS A MYTH. — 2010