Number Idioms
And now we're back to square one.
Here are some common idioms based on numbers and numerical terms. Each entry includes the meaning of the idiom and shows the idiom in context in an example sentence.
all in one piece: safely, without being damaged — I was relieved to hear that he had arrived all in one piece.
a million miles away: distracted — Sorry, what did you say? I was a million miles away.
at sixes and sevens: in a confused state — I've been at sixes and sevens all day.
at the eleventh hour: at the last possible moment — Louis changed his mind about the deal at the eleventh hour.
back to square one: back to the starting point without having made any progress — Three hours later and we're back to square one.
dressed to the nines, dressed up to the nines: wearing very smart clothes — It was an extremely important event, and we were all dressed to the nines.
forty winks: a short sleep — I could do with forty winks right now.
give someone the third degree: ask someone a lot of questions — As soon as I arrived home from the meeting, she gave me the third degree.
have second thoughts: have doubts about a decision — Help! I'm having second thoughts about getting married.
in two minds: unable to decide — I'll give you an answer tomorrow; I'm in two minds about it right now.
it takes two to tango: both people involved in a situation are responsible for it — I don't know why you're blaming it all on me; it takes two to tango.
kill two birds with one stone: get two tasks done in one errand — I decided to kill two birds with one stone and visit my mother after doing the shopping.
million dollar question, $64,000 question: the hardest question of all — Ha! That's the 64,000 dollar question! I wish I knew the answer.
on all fours (of a person): having both hands and both knees on the ground — I got down on all fours and started looking for my gold ring in the grass.
on cloud nine: extremely happy — Ever since he heard the news, Paul's been on cloud nine.
six feet under (informal): dead and buried — My uncle was six feet under long before I was born.
take five: take a short break — Let's take five and meet back here at noon.
stand on one's own two feet: be independent, be able to look after oneself — It's time the boy learned to stand on his own two feet.
to two-time: to have two girlfriends/boyfriends at the same time, without one's partner knowing — Mary kicked Fred out of the apartment when she found out he'd been two-timing her.
twenty-four-seven: 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, all the time — The shop on the corner is open twenty-four-seven.
two cents, two cents' worth (informal): unsolicited opinion — Before they made their final decision, I managed to get my two cents in.