seven

(a) quarter of (a given hour in time)

A quarter of an hour (15 minutes) before the named hour in time (e.g., "quarter of six" would mean 5:45). Primarily heard in US. A: "What time does the movie start?" B: "Not until a quarter of eight, so we've got plenty of time!" I thought I'd be home already, but with this traffic, it'll be quarter of before I'm back.See also: given, hour, of, quarter

quarter past (a given hour in time)

A quarter of an hour (15 minutes) after the named hour in time. A: "What time does the movie start?" B: "Not until a quarter past eight, so we've got plenty of time!" I thought I'd be home already, but with this traffic, it'll be quarter past before I'm back.See also: given, hour, past, quarter

four score and seven years ago

Eighty-seven years ago. (A "score" is a set of 20 items.) The iconic first line of US President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, the speech he delivered at the dedication of the national cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Lincoln gave this speech in 1863—87 years after 1776, the year of the founding of the United States. Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.See also: ago, and, four, score, seven, year

seven-day wonder

A person or thing that generates interest for only a short amount of time. The band's biggest fear was becoming a seven-day wonder, soon to be forgotten when the next big sound hit the airwaves.See also: wonder

you should know a man seven years before you stir his fire

In interactions with people you don't know well, you should behave with caution and avoid meddling in their affairs. Mother, you don't know Sir Harold well enough to inquire about his personal life. Remember: you should know a man seven years before you stir his fire.See also: before, fire, know, man, seven, should, stir, year

at sixes and sevens

Frazzled or disorganized. The phrase likely originated from a dice game in which rolling a six or a seven was unfavorable. After caring for three sick kids all week, I'm totally at sixes and sevens. I'm at sixes and sevens now that the whole schedule has been rearranged.See also: and, seven, six

be at sixes and sevens

To be frazzled or disorganized. The phrase likely originated from a dice game in which rolling a six or a seven was unfavorable. After caring for three sick kids all week, I'm at sixes and sevens. Now that the whole schedule has been rearranged, I'm at sixes and sevens.See also: and, seven, six

the seven-year itch

The supposed inclination of a person, typically a man, to begin longing for sexual relations with other people after seven years of marriage. Everyone warned me about the seven-year itch, but I've been completely content with my wife every second that we've been together. A: "I heard Jack has been having an affair with a bartender from across town." B: "Hmm, sounds like the seven-year itch to me."See also: itch

at the tender age of

At the young age of. This phrase is used to emphasize how young one was when one did something in particular. The age is stated after "of." I'm not surprised to hear that he was doing science experiments at the tender age of seven—he's a child genius!See also: age, of, tender

seven-league boots

The ability to travel at very fast speeds; that which grants the ability to travel at very high speeds. An allusion to magical boots featured in European folklore that grant the wearer the ability to travel seven leagues in a single stride. The new technology allows electric cars to drive with seven-league boots, as opposed to the concrete shoes that hampered earlier models.See also: boot

(the) best of (an odd number)

A victorious outcome determined by the person or team who wins the majority of an odd number of games (three, five, seven, etc.). I love the Stanley Cup Playoffs more than other sports championships because the fact that's it's the best of seven means a team can have an off day but still rally to win the whole thing. A: "Fancy playing a round of tennis." B: "Sure! Best of five?"See also: odd, of

twenty-four seven

All day, every day. Short for "twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week." Another hyphen can be used between "four" and "seven" if used as a modifier before a noun. Often written as 24/7. You know you can call me twenty-four seven if you ever need anything, OK? It's the only shop in the entire city that's open 24/7. We offer twenty-four-seven customer support for anyone whose credit card is lost, stolen, or locked.See also: seven

in seventh heaven

In a state of bliss or extreme happiness. I've been in seventh heaven ever since I got engaged!See also: heaven, seventh

Heinz 57 (variety)

1. A phrase used to describe anything that is made up of a mixture of things. The phrase refers to an advertising slogan for the H.J. Heinz Company's 57 varieties of pickles. This stew is definitely Heinz 57 variety—there's a lot of different things thrown into it.2. A mixed-breed dog. I have no idea what breed Sparky is—he seems to be Heinz 57.See also: 57, Heinz

773H

slang The world "hell" spelled with numbers instead of letters, viewed backwards and upside down. I've been looking at this question for nearly half an hour, and I still don't know what the 773H it's asking for!

at sixes and sevens

lost in bewilderment; at loose ends. Mrs. Smith is at sixes and sevens since the death of her husband. Bill is always at sixes and sevens when he's home by himself.See also: and, seven, six

in seventh heaven

Fig. in a very happy state. Ann was really in seventh heaven when she got a car of her own. I'd be in seventh heaven if I had a million dollars.See also: heaven, seventh

Keep a thing seven years and you'll (always) find a use for it.

Prov. If you keep a seemingly useless thing for seven years, you will supposedly have some occasion to use it during that time. Jill: My mother sent me a four-foot-tall ceramic vase for my birthday. What can I possibly use it for? Jane: Keep it seven years and you'll find some use for it.See also: and, find, keep, seven, thing, use, year

a seven-day wonder

Fig. a person or a process supposedly perfected in only seven days. (Sarcastic.) Tommy is no seven-day wonder. It took him 6 years to get through high school!See also: wonder

seven-year itch

a real or imagined longing for other women in a man's seventh year of marriage. Looks like Jack has the seven-year itch. The seven-year itch is just a rumor.See also: itch

at sixes and sevens

Confused, disorganized, disorderly, as in We've just moved in, and the office is still at sixes and sevens, or The new college admissions tests were poorly explained, leaving the students at sixes and sevens . This ancient term is thought to come from a game of dice in which throwing a six or seven had a particular significance. The name of the game has been lost, but most likely betting on such a throw was very risky, denoting disorder and confusion. [Late 1300s] See also: and, seven, six

in seventh heaven

In a state of bliss, as in John was in seventh heaven when the director praised his speech. Used figuratively since the early 1800s, this term alludes to the dwelling place of God in highest of the seven concentric spheres that surround the earth in the system recognized by both Muslims and ancient Jews. See also: heaven, seventh

in seventh heaven

If you are in seventh heaven, you are extremely happy. After I was given my first camera I was in seventh heaven. Actor Siddig El Fadil is in seventh heaven after being picked for the new Star Trek series. Note: According to Islam, there are seven heavens. The seventh is the most glorious and is governed by Abraham. In the Jewish religion, the seventh heaven is the dwelling place of God and his angels. See also: heaven, seventh

at sixes and sevens

mainly BRITISH, INFORMALIf something or someone is at sixes and sevens, they are disorganized and confused. Of course everything in the office is at sixes and sevens. None of us know what we should be doing. The home side were at sixes and sevens in the first half. Note: Two origins have been suggested for this phrase. The first is from a dice game, and the second is from a dispute that arose between two of the guilds or craft organizations in medieval London about who was to go sixth and who seventh in the annual procession through the city. The dispute was resolved by the guilds taking turns, and this still happens today. See also: and, seven, six

seven-league boots

the ability to travel very fast on foot. This phrase comes from the fairy story of Hop o' my Thumb, in which magic boots enable the wearer to travel seven leagues at each stride.See also: boot

in seventh heaven

in a state of ecstasy. In late Jewish and Muslim theology, there were considered to be seven heavens, and the seventh of these was the highest, where a state of eternal bliss was to be enjoyed.See also: heaven, seventh

at sixes and sevens

in a state of total confusion or disarray. This phrase originated as gambling slang and may be an alteration or corruption of Old French cinque (five) and sice (six), these being the highest numbers on dice. The idea of risking all your goods on the two highest numbers led to the idea of carelessness and neglect of your possessions and eventually to the development of the phrase's current meaning. 1998 Oldie But if you arrive in the afternoon we may be a bit at sixes and sevens as we're doing a wedding reception. See also: and, seven, six

twenty-four seven

all the time; twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The phrase, which originated in the US, is often written 24/7 .See also: seven

the seven year ˈitch

(informal) the wish for a new sexual partner because you are bored with your husband or wife: He’s started looking at all the women in the office. It must be the seven year itch.See also: itch, seven, year

be at ˌsixes and ˈsevens

(informal) be in a state of confusion; not be well organized: I’m completely at sixes and sevens this week. My secretary’s ill, I’ve got a report to write, and we’re moving offices.See also: and, seven, six

seven-seven-three-aitch

and 773H n. hell. (This is based on the printed word HELL rotated 180 degrees. Jocular.) What the seven-seven-three-aitch is going on around here?

773H

verbSee seven-seven-three-aitch

seven-year itch

n. a real or imagined longing for other women in a man’s seventh year of marriage. Looks like Jack has the seven-year itch. See also: itch

twenty-four, seven

and 24-7 mod. all the time, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. He’s always at home, 24-7! See also: seven

at sixes and sevens

In a state of confusion or disorder.See also: and, seven, six

at sixes and sevens

In disarray or confusion. The term comes from a game of dice in which throwing a six or seven has special significance, as it does in modern craps. There is considerable disagreement as to the precise game, or even if “six” or “seven” are not corruptions of sinque (five) and sice (six). Erasmus quoted a proverb to that effect, but, since dicing is very old indeed, the idea may be much older yet.See also: and, seven, six

seven-year itch

A yearning for change, specifically a change of sexual partner after seven years of marriage. This expression gained currency through George Axelrod’s play The Seven-Year Itch (1952), later made into a movie starring Marilyn Monroe (1955). Originally the phrase was used for various skin conditions. One such use was for poison ivy, in the belief that the rash would recur every year for seven years. Also, centuries ago itch was a slang word for “sexual desire.” Today, the expression invariably refers to the wish for a new sexual partner and, for some reason, tends to be applied only to men. Thus Patricia Moyes wrote, “There’s something called the seven-year itch . . . middle-aged men quite suddenly cutting loose” (Angel of Death, 1980). See also: itch

twenty-four/seven

Also 24/7. Indication that something—a store, a service, a person—is available at all times (twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week). Used since the second half of the 1900s, at first for shops that never close, the term was soon applied in numerous other contexts. For example, “I’m not looking to get a knife in my chest. I’ve got twenty-four/seven protection on me” (David Baldacci, Hour Game, 2004). A theater review by Ed Siegel in the Boston Globe (Feb. 1, 2005) also had it: “The younger generation. What are we to do with them, with their ‘whatever’ attitude, their irony, and their 24/7 access to sex, drugs, rock’n’roll, and the Internet?” See also whatever.See also: seven

at sixes and sevens

In complete disorder. The most likely source of the phrase is an old dice game called hazard, in which to bet on cinque and sice (from the French words for “five” and “six”) was particularly risky business. Anyone who did so was considered careless or confused. English-speaking players misheard or chose to pronounce cinque and sice as “sixes and sevens.”See also: and, seven, six

seven

sev·en

seven

sev•en

seven

seven

seven

seven

(a) quarter of (a given hour in time)

quarter past (a given hour in time)

four score and seven years ago

seven-day wonder

you should know a man seven years before you stir his fire

at sixes and sevens

be at sixes and sevens

the seven-year itch

at the tender age of

seven-league boots

(the) best of (an odd number)

twenty-four seven

in seventh heaven

Heinz 57 (variety)

773H

at sixes and sevens

in seventh heaven

Keep a thing seven years and you'll (always) find a use for it.

a seven-day wonder

seven-year itch

at sixes and sevens

in seventh heaven

in seventh heaven

at sixes and sevens

seven-league boots

in seventh heaven

at sixes and sevens

twenty-four seven

the seven year ˈitch

be at ˌsixes and ˈsevens

seven-seven-three-aitch

773H

seven-year itch

twenty-four, seven

at sixes and sevens

at sixes and sevens

seven-year itch

twenty-four/seven

at sixes and sevens

seven

seven

What does it mean when you dream about the number seven?

Nanakusa Matsuri (Seven Herbs or Grasses Festival)

seven

SEVEN

seven

Synonyms for seven

noun the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

Synonyms

Related Words

noun one of four playing cards in a deck with seven pips on the face

Synonyms

Related Words

adj being one more than six

Synonyms

Related Words