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Synonyms

put two and two together

Idioms  

  1. Draw the proper inference from existing evidence, as in Putting two and two together, it's not hard to guess who will be chosen for the lead role in the play. [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Surely, the viewer can put two and two together on their own to decipher a deeper meaning within the text without the message being spoon-fed to them.

From Salon • Aug. 8, 2025

However Stokes chose to spin it, his "put two and two together" comments were ambiguous at best and clumsy at worst.

From BBC • May 29, 2025

While this might have come as a complete surprise to most parents, Clare quickly put two and two together.

From Slate • Mar. 24, 2025

And will Belinda, who spots Greg sitting across the restaurant, put two and two together?

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2025

"You're smart. Curious. Not afraid to take initiative. I'll bet you can put two and two together."

From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.