Idioms with Numberson cloud nine– very happy. After Josie got a perfect score in math, she was on cloud nine.
number one– oneself, me. I have to decide what is best in my life. I have to take care of number one.
to put two and two together– to figure something out. The kitchen door was open and the cake was gone. I put two and two together and realized Tom had eaten the cake.
two’s company, three’s a crowd– two people together are good, but three people together cause problems. I don’t want to go to the movies with you and your boyfriend. Two’s company and three’s a crowd.
forty winks– a short nap (sleep). I’m so sleepy. I think I will have forty winks before I go shopping.
dressed to the nines– dressed very nicely. When Hillary went to the dance, she was dressed to the nines.
the one and only– something unique, there is only one of something. I want to introduce you to the one and only Tom Cruise.
six to one, half a dozen to the other– (a dozen means twelve) it doesn’t matter, 6 is the same as half a dozen. Do you want chocolate or vanilla ice cream? It doesn’t matter, it’s six to one, half a dozen to the other.
Check Your UnderstandingMultiple Choice- Choose the best idiom. Check your answers below.
1. Jack’s girlfriend was very busy lately. When Jack saw another man’s shoe in his girlfriend’s apartment, he ___ and realized she had another boyfriend.
a. dressed to the nines
b. put two and two together
c. number one
2. What is your favorite magazine? The ___ Time Magazine. There is nothing else as good.
a. forty winks
b. cloud nine
c. one and only
3. I don’t like Tom. He doesn’t care about anybody. He only thinks about ___.
a. put two and two together
b. number one
c. two’s company, three’s a crowd
4. Melissa and George were having a nice dinner at Melissa’s house. When Andy came to visit, Melissa was angry. She told George “___.”
a. Two’s company, three’s a crowd
b. Number one
c. Forty winks
5. When Terry was offered a job at General Hospital, he was so happy he was ___.
a. on cloud nine
b. dressed to the nines
c. six to one, half a dozen to the other
6. I’m not sure if we should visit the mountains or the sea. Both are great. I guess it is ___.
a. six to one, half a dozen to the other
b. put two and two together
c. forty winks
7. Wow, all of the actresses looked great! They were all ___ for the party.
a. the one and only
b. six to one, half a dozen to the other
c. dressed to the nines
8. I’m going to go dancing all night tonight. I guess I should get ___ before I leave so I won’t become tired.
a. the one and only
b. forty winks
c. number one
Check your answers here 1-b, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a, 5-a, 6-a, 7-c, 8-b