Sixes and sevens - At

Definitions

• confusion or disorder
  Describing a situation where things are in a state of disarray or confusion

• uncertainty or indecision
  Expressing a lack of clarity or decisiveness in a particular situation or decision

Examples of Sixes and sevens - At

• She's got the hang of cooking, but sometimes her dishes still turn out as sixes and sevens at the dinner table.

  This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is not entirely skilled or accurate in doing something, and the results can be unpredictable or confusing. When applied to cooking, it implies that although the person knows the basics, their creations may still have varying degrees of success or failure, leaving the diners uncertain about how they will react to the food.

• His grades have been all over the place this semester, with some classes being sixes and sevens and others being aces.

  Here, the idiom is used to describe a person's performance or achievements, which may be inconsistent or unpredictable. In this context, it tells us that the individual's academic results vary considerably from subject to subject, making it difficult to predict how well they will do in a particular course or exam.

• After the heavy rain, the roads became a chaotic mess of sixes and sevens for commuters.

  This example applies the idiom to a situation, in which there's a state of confusion or disorder. In this case, it refers to the condition of roads or traffic followed by heavy rain, where the drivers experience unpredictable and confusing circumstances, hindering their commuting experience.

• The new sales strategy seems to be sixes and sevens so far, with no clear pattern of success or failure.

  This is another usage of the idiom in the context of business, where a strategy's outcomes are unpredictable or uncertain. In this instance, it indicates that there is no apparent pattern to indicate whether the new sales tactic will lead to profits or losses. It signals a state of confusion or uncertainty about the strategy's effectiveness.

• The project timeline has become sixes and sevens at the development team, causing frequent delays and unexpected setbacks.

  This idiom is used to describe a situation where things are completely disorganized and chaotic, with no clear direction or plan. In this example, it highlights the confusion and lack of progress in the project, leading to unanticipated roadblocks.

• His thoughts were sixes and sevens, making it challenging for him to communicate coherently during the team meeting.

  This idiom is often used to describe a person's mental state, especially when they're struggling to articulate their ideas or arguments. In this case, it signifies disorganization and incoherence in the individual's thought process, making it difficult for others to understand what they're trying to say.

• The company's finances have been sixes and sevens at best, resulting in financial instability and uncertainty for the future.

  This idiom is commonly used to describe a situation where there's a lack of financial stability or predictability, often leading to instability or uncertainty. In this context, it implies that the company's financial situation is unclear and unpredictable, underscoring the risks and uncertainties that come with their current state of affairs.

• The customer support team has been sixes and sevens with their responses, leaving our clients feeling frustrated and disgruntled.

  This idiom is often used to describe a situation where customer service is subpar or inadequate, leading to negative experiences for the clients. In this context, it highlights the inconsistency and unpredictability in the customer support team's handling of customer queries, leaving the clients feeling dissatisfied and unsupported.

Conclusion

The idiom "sixes and sevens" is used to describe a state of confusion or disorder, or to express uncertainty or indecision. It can be used in various contexts to convey the idea that things are not in order or that there is a lack of clarity in a situation.

For example, someone might say "I'm at sixes and sevens" to indicate that they are feeling confused or unsure about something. Alternatively, the phrase could be used to describe a messy or disorganized environment, such as "The office was at sixes and sevens after the party."

Overall, "sixes and sevens" is a versatile idiom that can be applied to different scenarios where there is a lack of clarity, order, or decisiveness.

Origin of "Sixes and sevens - At"

The origin of the idiom "sixes and sevens" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated from the game of dice. In the game, "at sixes and sevens" referred to a situation where a player had thrown a six and a seven, which was considered a risky and uncertain outcome.

Over time, the phrase evolved to take on the meaning of confusion or disorder, and it became a popular idiom in the English language. Today, it is commonly used to describe situations where things are in a state of disarray or uncertainty.