Meaning & use
sixes and sevens
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phraseinformal
in a state of confusion or disorder; not organized
Grammar: Usually used after 'be' or 'leave' as a complement: The room was at sixes and sevens.
Patterns
- be at sixes and sevens
- leave something at sixes and sevens
After the move, all our files were at sixes and sevens.
The sudden change of plan left the whole team at sixes and sevens.
phrasefixed phraseinformal
in disagreement or confusion between people
Grammar: Often used with 'at' to describe people who cannot agree or are confused about what to do.
Patterns
- be at sixes and sevens with someone
- set someone at sixes and sevens
The two managers were at sixes and sevens over the budget.
The rumors set the neighbors at sixes and sevens.
Common combinations
- at sixes and sevens
- The accounts were at sixes and sevens after the audit.
- leave something at sixes and sevens
- The storm left the garden at sixes and sevens.
- all at sixes and sevens
- With no leader, the group was all at sixes and sevens.
Synonyms and how they differ
- in disarray
- More formal and often used for organizations or plans; 'at sixes and sevens' is more conversational.
- chaotic
- Describes a situation that is wildly disordered; the idiom suggests confusion rather than complete chaos.
- confused
- Focuses on people's mental state; the idiom can describe both people and situations.
Opposites
Commonly confused: sixes and sevens or six or seven?
sixes and sevens vs six or seven
This simply means the number 6 or 7 and is not an idiom. 'Sixes and sevens' means confusion, not a count.
Practice
After the computer crash, the office was completely ______.
Choose one answer.
'At sixes and sevens' is the fixed form; other prepositions do not go with this idiom.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sixes and sevens”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.