At sixes and sevens

Meaning

"At sixes and sevens" is an idiom that means to be confused or disorganized. The phrase can also mean being uncertain, hesitant, or undecided about something. It can refer to a person, a situation, or even an event.

Usage

• I was so stressed out about the upcoming exams that I felt like my thoughts were at sixes and sevens.
• The project's timeline was at sixes and sevens, leading to delays and frustration among the team members.
• After their breakup, Jane and John were at sixes and sevens about their feelings for each other.
• When I visited my grandparents, they were at sixes and sevens about how to prepare dinner.
• The politician's response to the journalists' questions was at sixes and sevens, leaving many people unsatisfied.

Roots and History

The idiom "at sixes and sevens" is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages, when most people used latches with six or seven holes for their doors. If someone accidentally left their door open, they would have to find a piece that fit the sixth or seventh hole to close it properly. This was known as being "at sixes and sevens." Over time, the idiom evolved to refer to any situation that was confusing or disorganized. In contemporary language, the phrase is used more broadly to describe a person, a situation, or even an event that is causing confusion or uncertainty.

Synonyms in English

• Perplexed
• Confused
• Disoriented
• Bewildered
• Uncertain

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: Confuso/a, desorientado/a
• French: Confus/se, désorienté/e
• German: Verwirrt/e, verhehrend
• Italian: Confuso/a, disorientato/a
• Mandarin Chinese: 混乱的 (huòliàn de)

Similar Idioms

• at sea

• six of one, half a dozen of the other

• a cinch