at sixes and sevens

Cultural  

1. In a state of confusion or disorder: “Trying to cram for this math test has me all at sixes and sevens.”

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at sixes and sevens Idioms  

1. Confused, disorganized, disorderly, as in We've just moved in, and the office is still at sixes and sevens, or The new college admissions tests were poorly explained, leaving the students at sixes and sevens. This ancient term is thought to come from a game of dice in which throwing a six or seven had a particular significance. The name of the game has been lost, but most likely betting on such a throw was very risky, denoting disorder and confusion. [Late 1300s]

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Example Sentences

“He’s at sixes and sevens right now,” Faldo says.

From Golf Digest • Apr. 1, 2020

Netflix and Marvel have been at sixes and sevens since late summer, when Disney announced that its feature films, including Marvel movies, would only appear on their upcoming over-the-top streaming service, not Netflix.

From Slate • Oct. 20, 2018

Toby Flood was, still is, a player stuck at sixes and sevens, his steady play usually good enough to guarantee a passing mark out of ten, scarcely less and rarely more.

From The Guardian • Feb. 3, 2013

George Osborne and David Cameron seem to be at sixes and sevens on the crucial question of how the deficit should be addressed.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2010

So the ambush was sent out post-haste, and everything within the castle was at sixes and sevens.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Related Words

• baffled
• befuddled
• bewildered
• dazed
• disorganized
• distracted
• muddled
• perplexed
• perturbed
• puzzled