On all fours
adverb
In a crawling position with hands and knees on the ground.
She was on all fours looking for her lost earring under the sofa.
Often appears as...
- crawl on all fours
- on all fours looking
adverb
Equal in quality, level or status.
After the last round, all teams were on all fours in the competition.
Often appears as...
- on all fours in competition
- teams were on all fours
Usage tips
Approving
Idiomatic
adverb
In a crawling position with hands and knees on the ground.
She was on all fours looking for her lost earring under the sofa.
Often appears as...
- crawl on all fours
- on all fours looking
adverb
Equal in quality, level or status.
After the last round, all teams were on all fours in the competition.
Often appears as...
- on all fours in competition
- teams were on all fours
Usage tips
Approving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Action
Used when someone is moving or supporting themselves using both hands and knees.
The baby moved across the carpet on all fours.
Pro Tip 2/3Searching Position
Often describes someone looking for something low to the ground.
He got down on all fours to find his contact lens.
Pro Tip 3/3Playful Gesture
Can indicate a playful situation, like imitating an animal.
The children were playing on all fours, pretending to be lions.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Action
Used when someone is moving or supporting themselves using both hands and knees.
The baby moved across the carpet on all fours.
Pro Tip 2/3Searching Position
Often describes someone looking for something low to the ground.
He got down on all fours to find his contact lens.
Pro Tip 3/3Playful Gesture
Can indicate a playful situation, like imitating an animal.
The children were playing on all fours, pretending to be lions.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Action
Used when someone is moving or supporting themselves using both hands and knees.
The baby moved across the carpet on all fours.
Pro Tip 2/3Searching Position
Often describes someone looking for something low to the ground.
He got down on all fours to find his contact lens.
Pro Tip 3/3Playful Gesture
Can indicate a playful situation, like imitating an animal.
The children were playing on all fours, pretending to be lions.
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