The idiom "at sixes and sevens" means to be in a state of confusion or disorder. It is used to describe a situation where things are not organized or arranged properly, and there is a lack of clarity or direction.
For example, if someone says "I'm at sixes and sevens with my work schedule," they mean that they are having trouble keeping track of their tasks and deadlines, and everything feels disorganized and chaotic.
The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated from a dice game called "hazard" that was popular in medieval England. In the game, players would bet on the outcome of a roll of two dice, and if the dice showed a six and a seven, it was considered a losing combination. Over time, the phrase "at sixes and sevens" came to be associated with a state of confusion or uncertainty.
In summary, "at sixes and sevens" is an idiom used to describe a situation where things are disorganized and confusing. It can be used in a variety of contexts, from work schedules to personal relationships, and is a useful expression to have in your vocabulary.
• I am at sixes and sevens today, I can't find my keys anywhere.
• The company's finances were at sixes and sevens before they hired a new accountant to straighten things out.
• Despite all their planning, the event was at sixes and sevens due to unexpected issues that arose.
• The team was at sixes and sevens during the game, they couldn't seem to work together.
• After moving to a new city, I'm still at sixes and sevens trying to figure out where everything is.
• With so many conflicting opinions, the committee was left at sixes and sevens about which decision to make.