Imagine you’re in the middle of a chat with a native English speaker and they say something like, “I’ll be back in a second.” You check your watch, anticipating their return in exactly one second. But time passes and they’re nowhere to be seen. What happened? Well, you’ve just encountered an English idiom related to numbers! Number idioms are everywhere in English and getting familiar with them can make you sound more like a native speaker. Plus, it’s always exciting to unravel the fun and sometimes peculiar logic behind idioms. So, are you ready to delve into the world of number idioms?
Let’s embark on this numerical journey with 15 fascinating English idioms related to numbers:
1. Back to square one: When you’re back to square one, you have to start something again because your previous attempt failed.
Example: Our plans fell through, so now we’re back to square one.
2. At sixes and sevens: This phrase means to be in a state of total confusion or disarray.
Example: The sudden resignation of the manager left everyone at sixes and sevens.
3. On cloud nine: If you’re on cloud nine, you’re extremely happy.
Example: When she found out she’d won the lottery, she was on cloud nine.
4. A dime a dozen: Something that’s a dime a dozen is very common and not unique.
Example: Fast food restaurants are a dime a dozen in the city.
5. At the eleventh hour: If something happens at the eleventh hour, it happens right at the last possible moment.
Example: We received the necessary paperwork at the eleventh hour.
6. Two’s company, three’s a crowd: This idiom implies that two people, particularly a couple, should be left alone together.
Example: I decided not to go to the movies with them because, you know, two’s company, three’s a crowd.
7. Nine times out of ten: This phrase means almost always.
Example: Nine times out of ten, he’s the one who ends up doing the dishes.
8. A picture is worth a thousand words: This idiom means that a complex idea can be conveyed with a single image.
Example: Rather than explaining the view from the mountain, he showed them a photo. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.
9. Kill two birds with one stone: This phrase means to accomplish two different things at the same time.
Example: By studying while on the treadmill, she was killing two birds with one stone.
10. Have one’s second wind: This means to have a new burst of energy after being tired.
Example: I was exhausted from the hike, but then I got my second wind.
11. In seventh heaven: If you’re in seventh heaven, you’re extremely happy.
Example: She’s been in seventh heaven since she got engaged.
12. Put two and two together: This means to figure something out by seeing the evidence.
Example: When I saw the paint on his clothes, I put two and two together and realized he had been painting all day.
13. Six of one, half a dozen of the other: This phrase means that two things are essentially the same or there’s very little difference between them.
Example: Whether you go by train or bus, it’s six of one, half a dozen of the other.
14. Zero in on: To zero in on something means to focus on it.
Example: The detective zeroed in on the clues at the crime scene.
15. One in a million: If something or someone is one in a million, they’re extremely special.
Example: His kindness makes him one in a million.
Well done! You’ve now added 15 number-related idioms to your English vocabulary. Remember, idioms are all about context, not literal meanings. So, don’t be discouraged if you don’t get them right away. Keep practicing and soon, you’ll find using these idioms as easy as one, two, three!