▪ 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.
| 1707 Farquhar Beaux' Strat. v. i. 57 Can you play at Whiste, Sir? No, truly, Sir. Nor at all-fours? Neither. 1775 Sheridan St. Patrick's Day i. ii. 293 To drink bohea tea, and play at allfours on a drum head. 1851 Mayhew 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.
| 1563 Homilies ii. xiii. ii. (1640) 184 A bruit beast, creeping upon all foure. 1611 Bible Lev. xi. 42 Whatsoeuer goeth vpon all foure. [1535 Coverdale ibid., All that goeth vpon foure or mo fete.] 1777 Robertson Amer. (1783) II. 436 These spies..will creep on all-four, like cats. 1814 Scott 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).
| 1710 Sir J. St. Leger in Somers Tracts (1751) III. 248 Tho' the Comparison should not exactly run upon all four when examined. 1877 Daily Tel. 15 Mar., It must stand on all fours with that stipulation. 1883 Daily News 8 Feb. 3/7 The decision I have quoted is on all fours with this case. |