8 Number-Based Idioms You Should Know in English

The article is dedicated to numbers, their magic ability, and the power they have over people.

Well, almost…

Actually, I’d like to offer you eight idioms in English that use numbers.

Throughout history, numbers have significantly influenced our lives, leading to the development of various expressions and sayings across many languages that incorporate these digits.

Let’s explore some fascinating English idioms that incorporate numbers. These expressions can add flair to your everyday conversations and are definitely worth incorporating into your speech!

•    Ten to One

The English idiom ten to one means that there is a high probability that something will happen.

For example:

•         Ten to one I’m going to win.
•         I’m telling you, ten to one that John won’t come today.
•      In one piece

Our second English idiom means “safely, without any harm.” In a more literal sense, it means “unbroken.”

For example:

•         He got home from the party in one piece.
•         The package was handled carelessly, but the mirror inside arrived all in one piece.
•      Have one too many

This phrasal verb means “have too much alcohol to drink.”

For example:

•         I can’t drive. I had one too many.
•         Last Friday he had one too many and couldn’t find his keys for an hour.
•      One for the road

This idiom refers to a last drink (usually alcoholic) that guests or restaurant/bar customers drink, sometimes quickly, before leaving.

For example:

•         Let’s have one for the road!
•         Too bad you have to go. But let’s have one for the road.
•      Six feet under

This phrase is heard often in English songs and movies. It means “dead and buried.”

When a dead body is buried, it is put in a hole in the ground – a grave – that is six feet deep.

For example:

•         I’m going to be six feet under by the year 2100.
•         If you’re not careful driving in the snow, you’ll be six feet under.
•      Kill two birds with one stone

This idiom means “to accomplish two things with one action.”

For example:

•         I’ll drop you off on the way to work. We’ll kill two birds with one stone.
•         Cycling to work kills two birds with one stone. I get to work, and I get exercise too.
•      A million and one

This idiom simply means “a lot of.”

For example:

•         I have a million and one ideas how to decorate this room.
•         I used to have a million and one rare model toy cars.
•      Put in one’s two cents

The last idiom on our list means “to express an opinion or view about something.”

For example:

•         I put in my two cents at the meeting.
•         Gary is always putting in his two cents when I start talking with Amy.

That’s all for today.

Good luck in learning and teaching English!