four-in-hand

American  

[fawr-in-hand, fohr-] / ˈfɔr ɪnˌhænd, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

1. a long necktie to be tied in a slipknot with the ends left hanging.

2. a vehicle drawn by four horses and driven by one person.

3. a team of four horses.

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adjective

1. of or relating to a four-in-hand.

four-in-hand British  

noun

1. Also called: tally-ho.  a road vehicle drawn by four horses and driven by one driver

2. a four-horse team in a coach or carriage

3. a long narrow tie formerly worn tied in a flat slipknot with the ends dangling

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Etymology

Origin of four-in-hand

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

This time pledged by a man in a bespoke suit and a four-in-hand.

From Washington Post • Sep. 13, 2022

Volunteer Kelly Sparks taught a 12-year-old the traditional four-in-hand knot.

From Washington Post • Dec. 26, 2019

“Why Knot?” for example, uses 10 electric motors to drive 10 mechanisms to construct a four-in-hand knot on a necktie that it wraps around its own neck.

From New York Times • Feb. 20, 2015

But pride of place at the 1900 Games must go to the four-in-hand mail coach event, four horses pulling a coach, parcel delivery as sport.

From The Guardian • Jul. 6, 2012

She drove a four-in-hand on her fourteenth birthday, and her cousin, Mr. Jack, got up on the box beside her and tried to take the reins from her hands.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier