all fours

American  

noun

1. all four limbs or extremities; the four legs or feet of an animal or both arms and both legs or both hands and both feet of a person.

   The cat rolled off the ledge but landed on all fours.

2. Also called high-low-jack, old sledge, pitch, seven-up.  (used with a singular verb) a game for two or three players or two partnerships in which a 52-card pack is used, the object being to win special scoring values for the highest trump, the lowest trump, the jack, the ace, the ten, and the face cards.

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idioms

1. on all fours,

   1. in conformity with; corresponding exactly with.

   2. (of a person) on the hands and feet, or the hands and knees.

      I had to go on all fours to squeeze through the low opening.

all fours British  

noun

1. both the arms and legs of a person or all the legs of a quadruped (esp in the phrase on all fours )

2. another name for seven-up

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Etymology

Origin of all fours

First recorded in 1555–65

Example Sentences

The agile robot dog springs up on all fours, takes a step forward and charges at the tense crowd at a Tokyo exhibit, held back by a simple yet strong metal chain.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

Although its limbs were not preserved, the researchers believe it moved on all fours, similar to related species.

From Science Daily • Nov. 12, 2025

The man limps out and rubs his face before falling on all fours as the officers drive away.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 29, 2024

The fire and rescue team stepped in - on all fours.

From BBC • Nov. 30, 2023

He reverted to all fours and bounded across the room, dodging the flames, yipping as a hungry blaze singed his beautiful snow-sky tail.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman