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.

---

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

---

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

She claims responsibility for recirculating the video of Halili on all fours, and has collected stories from other former fans and friends who say they've been harmed by the hosts.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2025

The bear casually slumps back down onto all fours, then looks up and gazes at me briefly.

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2024

By this time his father had stolen into Matt’s room, crawling on all fours.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy