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on all fours
01
to be down on one's hands and knees
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "on all fours" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "on all fours" can be traced back to the literal posture of animals, particularly quadrupeds, who move or stand by supporting their body weight on all four limbs. The phrase is now used metaphorically to refer to a human imitating this posture, either by crawling or bending down on hands and knees.
Example
After an exhausting race, the runner collapsed on all fours, trying to catch their breath and recover.
The hiker lost his balance and fell, ending up on all fours as he regained his footing on the slippery trail.
The toddler was on all fours, exploring the room and crawling towards his toys.
