on all fours

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word on all fours. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word on all fours, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say on all fours in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word on all fours you have here. The definition of the word on all fours will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofon all fours, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
See also: on all-fours

English

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

  • Audio (AU)(file)

Adverb

on all fours (not comparable)

  1. (idiomatic) On one's hands and knees.
    • 1897, Joseph Conrad, chapter 3, in The Nigger Of The ‘Narcissus’:
      A bulky form was seen rising aft, and began marching on all fours with the movements of some big cautious beast.
    • 1916, Elbert Hubbard, “Johannes Brahms”, in Little Journeys Vol. 14: Great Musicians:
      He was on all fours, with three children on his back, riding him for a horse.
  2. (idiomatic, often followed by "with") In a manner which is similar in nature or effect to something else; consistently.
    • 1886 May – 1887 April, Thomas Hardy, chapter 39, in The Woodlanders , volumes (please specify |volume=I to III), London, New York, N.Y.: Macmillan and Co., published 1887, →OCLC:
      The paternal longing ran on all fours with her own desire.
    • 1920, Rudyard Kipling, chapter 21, in Letters of Travel:
      The new law was precisely on all-fours with the Homestead Act.

Related terms

Translations

See also

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia