six

be at sixes and sevens (informal)

to be confused or badly organized. We were at sixes and sevens for about a week after we moved in.

See also: seven

be six feet under (informal)

to be dead. You're just waiting until he's six feet under so you can get your hands on his money.

See also: feet

deep-six someone/something (American, informal)

to get rid of someone or something. They want to deep-six the project because it's costing too much money.

knock someone for six (British & Australian, informal)

to surprise and upset someone a lot. It really knocked me for six when my ex-boyfriend announced he was getting married.

See also: knock

six of one and half a dozen of the other

if you say that a bad situation is six of one and half a dozen of the other, you mean that two people or groups are equally responsible. Harriet's always accusing Donald of starting arguments, but if you ask me, it's six of one and half a dozen of the other.

See also: dozen, half, other

six of the best (British & Australian, old-fashioned)

if you give someone six of the best, you punish them by hitting them, usually on their bottom with a long, thin stick. Many teachers are faced with finding an alternative to six of the best for pupils who regularly break the rules.

See also: best

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six feet under

dead and buried. You're just waiting until he's six feet under so you can get his money.

Etymology: based on the idea that dead people are traditionally buried six feet under the ground

See also: feet

six of one, (and) half a dozen of the other

two things are almost the same or equal. I also compared the two stereos, and in most respects it's six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Etymology: based on the idea that half a dozen (= half of 12) is equal to six

See also: dozen, half, other