four-in-hand

[ fawr-in-hand, fohr- ]

/ ˈfɔr ɪnˌhænd, ˈfoʊr- /

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noun

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

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

a team of four horses.

adjective

of or relating to a four-in-hand.

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Origin of four-in-hand

First recorded in 1785–95

Words nearby four-in-hand

Fourier analysis, Fourierism, Fourier series, Fourier's theorem, Fourier transform, four-in-hand, four-lane, four-leaf clover, four-legged, four-letter word, four-letter words

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use four-in-hand in a sentence

They come with a standard yellow four-in-hand and an American flag pin perched on his left lapel.
Herman Cain's Power Suit|Robin Givhan|November 4, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Suddenly, there was a tremendous uproar and excitement, and I saw a four-in-hand drive up.
My Life in Many States and in Foreign Lands|George Francis Train
The couple and their waterman rowed away to the party they had left with the four-in-hand at their inn.
Lord Ormont and his Aminta, Complete|George Meredith
Then I wrapped it around my neck and tied it in a regular four-in-hand necktie knot.
The Double Spy|Dan T. Moore

I wished I could have picked him up and tied him in a four-in-hand knot around his own neck.
The Double Spy|Dan T. Moore
I started, as usual, by selecting an iron reinforcing bar and tying it into a four-in-hand around my neck.
The Double Spy|Dan T. Moore

British Dictionary definitions for four-in-hand

four-in-hand

noun

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

a four-horse team in a coach or carriage

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012