English

Prepositional phrase

at sixes and sevens

1. (idiomatic) In a state of confusion.
   • 1912, Arthur Quiller-Couch, Poison Island, ch. 23:

     Oh, what a racket! And everything on deck apparently at sixes and sevens. Mail-bags and passengers mixed up in every direction.

2. (idiomatic, of people or groups) In a state of dispute or disagreement.
   • 1911, Jack London, Adventure, ch. 6:

     Her outlook on life was so different from what he conceived a woman's outlook should be, that he was more often than not at sixes and sevens with her.

   • 1976, Tim Rice, "Don't Cry For Me Argentina":

     All you will see is a girl you once knew, although she's dressed up to the nines, at sixes and sevens with you.

Synonyms

• (in a state of dispute or disagreement): at loggerheads

Translations

References

• at sixes and sevens at OneLook Dictionary Search
• "At sixes and sevens" in Michael Quinion, Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds, 2004.