three's a crowd

1. Also, two's company, three's a crowd. A third person spoils the ideal combination of a couple, as in No, I won't join you—three's a crowd. This expression, alluding to a third person spoiling the privacy of a pair of lovers, was already a proverb in 1546. For a synonym, see fifth wheel.

Example Sentences

Three’s a Crowd: Why is the burden on your ex to “show our kids we can still be friends”? Why can’t you model maturity, by accepting his new relationship?

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“Nah. Three’s a crowd and all.”

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In 2015, state procurement of drugs for hospitals and state-funded clinics, which account for up to 80% of Russia’s pharmaceutical market, became subject to the “three’s a crowd” rule, which excluded foreign businesses if at least two Russian companies were bidding for a contract.

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Two’s company and three’s a crowd — but not for filmmaker Taika Waititi, singer Rita Ora and actor Tessa Thompson.

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Three’s a crowd plus one: The biggest crowd ever, period!

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