| 释义 |
▪ I. all fours, n.|ˌɔːl ˈfɔəz|
[i.e. all four cards.]
1. A game at cards, played by two; ‘so named from the four particulars by which it is reckoned, and which, joined in the hand of either of the parties, are said to make all-fours. The all four are high, low, Jack, and the game.’ Johnson.
1707Farquhar Beaux' Strat. v. i. 57 Can you play at Whiste, Sir? No, truly, Sir. Nor at all-fours? Neither. 1775Sheridan St. Patrick's Day i. ii. 293 To drink bohea tea, and play at allfours on a drum head. 1851Mayhew Lond. Lab. (1854) I. 13 The usual games are all-fours, all-fives, and cribbage.
2. A game at dominoes, in which points are scored only when the sum of the pips at the two extremes are four or a multiple thereof.
▪ II. all fours, phr.|ˌɔːl ˈfɔəz|
[formerly all four, sc. extremities. The -s was added prob. during the 19th century; not in Johnson 1808.]
All four legs of a quadruped, or the legs and arms of a man. In the phrase to go (crawl, etc.) on all fours.
1563Homilies ii. xiii. ii. (1640) 184 A bruit beast, creeping upon all foure. 1611Bible Lev. xi. 42 Whatsoeuer goeth vpon all foure. [1535Coverdale ibid., All that goeth vpon foure or mo fete.] 1777Robertson Amer. (1783) II. 436 These spies..will creep on all-four, like cats. 1814Scott Wav. xxxviii, Edward..could perceive him crawling on all-fours.
2. fig. to run on all fours, i.e. fairly, evenly, not to limp like a lame dog. to be, or stand, on all fours: to be even or on a level, to present an exact analogy or comparison (with).
1710Sir J. St. Leger in Somers Tracts (1751) III. 248 Tho' the Comparison should not exactly run upon all four when examined. 1877Daily Tel. 15 Mar., It must stand on all fours with that stipulation. 1883Daily News 8 Feb. 3/7 The decision I have quoted is on all fours with this case. |