fours
word · lemma: four
Definition
Plural of 'four.' Can refer to groups of four or the number itself in plural contexts. Most commonly appears in 'on all fours' (crawling on hands and knees) and in cricket/card games for scoring or card values.
Usage & Nuances
The phrase 'on all fours' is the most common use, meaning to be on hands and knees. In rowing, 'fours' refers to boats with four rowers. In cricket, hitting a 'four' means the ball reaches the boundary. 'In fours' means in groups of four.
Example Sentences
The baby was crawling on all fours.
basic
Please line up in fours.
basic
He scored three fours in the cricket match.
basic
I dropped my contact lens and spent ten minutes on all fours looking for it.
natural
The kids marched in fours during the school parade.
natural
The dog knocked me down and I ended up on all fours in the mud.
natural