English Vocabulary – Idiomatic Expressions Used with Numbers

Introduction:

Idioms add color and flair to language, often conveying meanings that extend beyond the literal interpretation of their words.

In this post, we will explore examples of idioms with numbers. We’ll delve into their meanings, usage, and origins.

Idioms With Numbers

Here is a selection of idioms with numbers:

1. To the Nine: Perfectly dressed or styled.
   • Example: She was dressed up to the nines for her graduation ceremony.
2. A Four Letter Word: A vulgar or offensive word.
   • Example: He shouted a four-letter word in frustration.
3. At Sixes and Sevens: In a state of confusion or disarray.
   • Example: After the accident, the whole schedule was at sixes and sevens.
4. In One: Correct or exact.
   • Example: You got the answer in one; you must have studied hard.
5. Three Rs: The basics of education – reading, writing, and arithmetic.
   • Example: The school focuses on teaching the three Rs to its students.
6. Two and Two: To make a deduction or arrive at a conclusion.
   • Example: I put two and two together and realized he was lying.
7. Number One: One’s own interests or welfare.
   • Example: He always looks out for number one, even if it means stepping on others.
8. Five O’clock: A shadow on the face caused by not shaving, typically noticeable by the evening.
   • Example: He hurriedly grabbed his razor to shave off his five o’clock shadow before the meeting.
9. Ten a Penny: Common and easily found; not valuable.
   • Example: In a city like this, restaurants are ten a penny.
10. Nineteen to the Dozen: Very fast, often referring to speaking or moving quickly.
    • Example: She was talking nineteen to the dozen about her recent trip.
11. Eleventh Hour: Referring to the last moment or just before it’s too late.
    • Example: They finished the project at the eleventh hour.
12. Baker’s Dozen: Thirteen, usually referring to a baker’s practice of giving an extra item.
    • Example: The baker always gives a baker’s dozen of rolls.
13. Back to square one: Indicating a return to the beginning or a point where progress is lost, often due to unforeseen circumstances or failure.
    • Example: After weeks of planning, the company’s new marketing strategy failed to generate any leads, so they had to go back to square one and rethink their approach.
14. Nine-to-Five: Referring to a typical workday.
    • Example: He works a nine-to-five job in the office.
15. Rule of Three: The principle that things that come in threes are inherently more humorous, satisfying, or effective.
    • Example: The comedian used the rule of three in his jokes.
16. Six Feet Under: Referring to being dead and buried.
    • Example: He’s been six feet under for years now.
17. Four Corners of the Earth: Referring to all directions or every part of the world.
    • Example: They searched the four corners of the earth for the lost treasure.
18. One-Hit Wonder: Referring to someone or something that achieves success only once.
    • Example: He was a one-hit wonder in the music industry.
19. Double Whammy: Two bad things happening at the same time.
    • Example: Losing his job and his car breaking down was a double whammy for him.
20. Cloud Nine: Being extremely happy or elated.
    • Example: Winning the lottery put him on cloud nine.
21. Catch-22: A no-win situation or a dilemma.
    • Example: He was in a catch-22; he needed a job to get experience, but he needed experience to get a job.
22. Second Nature: Something that is so familiar it seems natural or instinctive.
    • Example: After years of practice, driving became second nature to him.
23. Seven Deadly Sins: A classification of vices in Christian teachings.
    • Example: Gluttony, greed, and sloth are three of the seven deadly sins.
24. Nine Days’ Wonder: Something that is briefly popular or fashionable.
    • Example: The latest social media trend was just a nine days’ wonder.
25. Quarterback Sneak: A football play where the quarterback carries the ball stealthily.
    • Example: The team scored a touchdown with a clever quarterback sneak.
26. Sixth Sense: A supposed ability to perceive things beyond the ordinary senses.
    • Example: She had a sixth sense about when things were going to go wrong.
27. Third Wheel: A person who is unwanted or unnecessary in a social situation.
    • Example: I felt like a third wheel when my friends started flirting with each other.
28. Top Ten: Referring to the best or most popular.
    • Example: Their album made it to the top ten on the charts.
29. One for the Road: An additional drink before leaving.
    • Example: He ordered one for the road before heading home.
30. First Come, First Served: The principle that the first people to arrive will be the first served.
    • Example: It’s first come, first served for these concert tickets.

Conclusion

Idioms, as figurative expressions, add depth and color to language, allowing us to communicate ideas in vivid and concise ways. Those incorporating numbers are no exception, offering unique insights into human expression and culture.

The above idioms with numbers enrich our communication, adding layers of meaning beyond their numerical origins. So the next time you hear someone “putting two and two together” or “looking out for number one,” you’ll understand not just the words, but the deeper message they convey.

Idioms with Numbers Quiz

Related Pages:

• Idioms by Categories