fore and aft
1. At the front and back of something. This phrase is nautical in origin, referring to the bow (located at the front) and the stern (located at the back) of a ship. We need to change the locks fore and aft, I'm afraid. I know the front of the house looks terrible, but, unfortunately, I'm sure the hurricane did damage fore and aft. If you don't have strong windows fore and aft, you're just asking for a break-in.
2. Everywhere; all over. There are people fore and aft—I'll never be able to find you! After the hurricane, the neighborhood was filled with debris fore and aft. Young lady, how can you find anything in this room with clothes tossed fore and aft?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
fore and aft
at the front and the back, usually of a boat or ship. They had to attach new lights fore and aft because the old ones were not bright enough to meet the new regulations. The captain ordered a watch stationed fore and aft.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
fore and aft
Both front and back, everywhere, as in The children clung to the teacher fore and aft. This expression is nautical terminology for the bow, or front, and the stern, or back, of a vessel. Today it is also used more broadly. [First half of 1600s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.