At sixes and sevens idiom meaning

English Dictionary. Word Lists.

By Tim Bowen. Tim Bowen sheds some light on the origins and definition of the phrase at sixes and sevens. If you are at sixes and sevens you are in a state of total confusion, disorder or disarray. There are various theories about the origin of this expression, none of which can be verified, as is often the case with word origins. Some people believe that the expression has its origin in the fact that, added together, the two numbers give the unlucky number thirteen.

At sixes and sevens idiom meaning

Forget doing it or forget to do it? Avoiding common mistakes with verb patterns 2. Translation of at sixes and sevens — English—Traditional Chinese dictionary. Add to word list Add to word list. Translations of at sixes and sevens in Chinese Simplified. See more. Need a translator? Translator tool. See the definition of at sixes and sevens in the English dictionary. Browse at peace idiom. Blog Forget doing it or forget to do it? Avoiding common mistakes with verb patterns 2 March 06,

Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English. It is also mentioned in the film Goldmember by Mike Myers' character Austin Powers to his dad, who at the time were speaking "English English": "oh, the one who was all sixes and sevens? Our new online dictionaries for schools provide at sixes and sevens idiom meaning safe and appropriate environment for children.

It is not known for certain, but the most likely origin of the phrase is the dice game " hazard ", a more complicated version of the modern game of craps. Michael Quinion , a British etymologist, writing on his website on linguistics, says, "It is thought that the expression was originally to set on cinque and sice from the French numerals for five and six. These were apparently the most risky numbers to shoot for 'to set on' and anyone who tried for them was considered careless or confused. A similar phrase, "to set the world on six and seven", is used by Geoffrey Chaucer in his Troilus and Criseyde. It dates from the mids and seems from its context to mean "to hazard the world" or "to risk one's life". Quinion notes a false but "widely believed" story on "where the phrase at sixes and sevens came from, and what it really means".

To be at sixes and sevens is to be at a state of confusion and disorder, or of disagreement between parties. The derivation of this phrase is rather difficult to trace, not least because it has changed in both form and meaning over the nine centuries or so that it has been in use. The phrase was originally 'to set on six and seven' and is thought to have derived in the 14th century from the game of dice. The meaning then was 'to carelessly risk one's entire fortune'. The earliest citation in print is Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde , Some may feel that this is a step too far, and the theory does set the folk-etymology antennae twitching. The OED supports the idea though, which will be good enough authority for most people.

At sixes and sevens idiom meaning

At sixes and sevens negative spoken language adjective phrase. Your place is at sixes and sevens. How long have you not cleaned up your house? Lucy, I think you need some cleanup because your room is kind of at sixes and sevens. Do you see anything wrong? Submit An Idiom. Subscribe Now. Meaning of At sixes and sevens Synonyms: at loose ends.

Velocity pilot gold

Spanish English to Spanish. To top. French English to French. Spanish to English. Site powered by Webvision Cloud. Translations Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. It also appears in the Rolling Stones ' song " Tumbling Dice " "sixes and sevens and nines". Victor Gollancz Ltd. You're not signed in. Register now or log in to access. English Dictionary Grammar. Primary School. English confusables.

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the 14 th century when there was a dispute between the Merchant Taylors tailors and the Skinners Livery Companies fur makers about what position they would be in the Order of Precedence. Both groups wanted to be in the sixth place.

Word of the Year. Italian grammar. Grammar Patterns. Word Lists. Sign in Register. Here are our hints and tips to get ahead of your opponent. Chinese English to Simplified. Teaching Resources. Toggle limited content width. A similar phrase, "to set the world on six and seven", is used by Geoffrey Chaucer in his Troilus and Criseyde. We have almost lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!