Idiom
at sixes and sevens
Meanings
Confused, disorganized, or in a chaotic state.
Unsettled or uncertain, with no clear plan or decision yet.
Definition
In a state of confusion or disorder, with things not organized or settled.
If someone or something is at sixes and sevens, they are confused, disorganized, or in chaos. It often describes a situation where plans are uncertain or people do not know what to do. It can also describe a place that looks messy after a disruption.
Examples
- After the sudden schedule change, everyone was at sixes and sevens.
- The house was at sixes and sevens after the kids’ birthday party.
- I’m at sixes and sevens today because I barely slept.
- When the manager quit, the whole department was at sixes and sevens.
More at C1 level
- Monday morning quarterback A “Monday morning quarterback” is someone who criticizes decisions after the outcome is already kno…
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- come hell or high water No matter what happens or how difficult things become.
- brass monkeys “Brass monkeys” is used in the expression “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey,” mea…
- get down to brass tacks To get down to brass tacks means to start discussing the most important practical details of someth…
More idioms
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- down to the wire If something goes down to the wire, it is decided at the very last moment before the deadline or fi…
- lost the plot To become confused or unreasonable and no longer understand what is happening or what matters.
- ducks in a row To have everything organized and ready in the correct order.