Put two and two together
phrase
To infer something from the information or clues given.
When she saw her boyfriend with another girl at the movie, she quickly put two and two together.
Often appears as...
- clever enough to put two and two together
- can't put two and two together
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To infer something from the information or clues given.
When she saw her boyfriend with another girl at the movie, she quickly put two and two together.
Often appears as...
- clever enough to put two and two together
- can't put two and two together
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Detective Mindset
Think like a detective figuring out a mystery using hints.
With the door unlocked and the lights on, she put two and two together that someone was inside.
Pro Tip 2/3No Direct Proof
Use the phrase when you're making a guess based on indirect evidence.
He didn't tell me he got the job, but seeing his new suit, I put two and two together.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Contexts
The phrase is casual, so it's not usually used in formal writing.
When they giggled every time he passed by, we put two and two together.
Pro Tip 1/3Detective Mindset
Think like a detective figuring out a mystery using hints.
With the door unlocked and the lights on, she put two and two together that someone was inside.
Pro Tip 2/3No Direct Proof
Use the phrase when you're making a guess based on indirect evidence.
He didn't tell me he got the job, but seeing his new suit, I put two and two together.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Contexts
The phrase is casual, so it's not usually used in formal writing.
When they giggled every time he passed by, we put two and two together.
Pro Tip 1/3Detective Mindset
Think like a detective figuring out a mystery using hints.
With the door unlocked and the lights on, she put two and two together that someone was inside.
Pro Tip 2/3No Direct Proof
Use the phrase when you're making a guess based on indirect evidence.
He didn't tell me he got the job, but seeing his new suit, I put two and two together.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Contexts
The phrase is casual, so it's not usually used in formal writing.
When they giggled every time he passed by, we put two and two together.
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