{"id":7487,"date":"2024-08-07T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-07T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/?p=7487"},"modified":"2024-07-24T12:15:24","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T12:15:24","slug":"clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/","title":{"rendered":"Clouds, Wheels and Charms: 14 English Idioms Based on Numbers"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#Literal_number_expressions\" >Literal number expressions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#One_of_a_kind\" >One of a kind<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#Kill_two_birds_with_one_stone\" >Kill two birds with one stone<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#Triple_threat\" >Triple threat<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#At_the_eleventh_hour\" >At the eleventh hour<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#Fifth_wheel\" >Fifth wheel<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#Figurative_number_expressions\" >Figurative number expressions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#Million-dollar_question\" >Million-dollar question<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#A_thousand_times_no\" >A thousand times no<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#Sixth_sense\" >Sixth sense<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#Catch-22\" >Catch-22<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#On_cloud_nine\" >On cloud nine<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#Second_nature\" >Second nature<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#Expressions_with_cultural_and_historical_background\" >Expressions with cultural and historical background<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#The_third_times_the_charm\" >The third time&#8217;s the charm<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#At_sixes_and_sevens\" >At sixes and sevens<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#Talk_nineteen_to_the_dozen\" >Talk nineteen to the dozen<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/#Wrap-up\" >Wrap-up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Have you heard the expression \u201cat the eleventh hour\u201d? What do you think it might mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t already know, it would be difficult to guess, but this is just one example of the many English idioms related to numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every number from zero to ten has an idiom related to it, and so do many numbers even higher than that. It's possible that some of them have similar versions in your native language. This article will take a look at 14 that can be used in a wide variety of situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Literal_number_expressions\"><\/span><strong>Literal number expressions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/24120437\/number_idioms_1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A woman dancing solo on a stage\" class=\"wp-image-9074\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/24120437\/number_idioms_1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/24120437\/number_idioms_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/24120437\/number_idioms_1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/24120437\/number_idioms_1-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/24120437\/number_idioms_1-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The expressions in this section include numbers meant literally. So even if they are new to you, you might be able to understand the meanings behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"One_of_a_kind\"><\/span><strong>One of a kind<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Something that is \"one of a kind\" is special because there is nothing else like it. We can use it to refer to objects, experiences and people.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">His songwriting skills are one of a kind; there are no other musicians who sound like him.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<p>If you add hyphens, this idiom can be used as an adjective.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">The wealthy collector had many one-of-a-kind items in his home.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kill_two_birds_with_one_stone\"><\/span><strong>Kill two birds with one stone<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This common expression means to achieve two goals with only one action.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">I like to kill two birds with one stone by studying during my commute to school.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Triple_threat\"><\/span><strong>Triple threat<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This generally refers to a person or thing that has three different skills or qualities. It was originally used in the entertainment industry, particularly musicals, for a performer who could sing, dance and act.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">She\u2019s a great actor, singer and dancer. Triple threats like her can become big stars.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"At_the_eleventh_hour\"><\/span><strong>At the eleventh hour<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the expression we introduced at the beginning of this article. It refers to something happening at the last possible moment. It originates from a story in the Bible about a landowner who hires workers just before it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">He finished his project at the eleventh hour and managed to submit it just in time.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fifth_wheel\"><\/span><strong>Fifth wheel<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A \"fifth wheel\" is something unnecessary or extra. This expression comes from the idea that a fifth wheel on a carriage that already has four is not needed.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">Ever since the new software was installed, the old tracking system has become a fifth wheel.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Figurative_number_expressions\"><\/span><strong>Figurative number expressions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/21032958\/DALLE2023-11-1415.17.05-Awidecinematicphotographdepictingtheconceptofthemilliondollarquestion.Thesceneincludesamysteriousdimlylitroomwithaspotlight-1024x585.png\" alt=\"Businesspeople surrounding a podium supporting a large, golden question mark\" class=\"wp-image-7492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/21032958\/DALLE2023-11-1415.17.05-Awidecinematicphotographdepictingtheconceptofthemilliondollarquestion.Thesceneincludesamysteriousdimlylitroomwithaspotlight-1024x585.png 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/21032958\/DALLE2023-11-1415.17.05-Awidecinematicphotographdepictingtheconceptofthemilliondollarquestion.Thesceneincludesamysteriousdimlylitroomwithaspotlight-300x171.png 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/21032958\/DALLE2023-11-1415.17.05-Awidecinematicphotographdepictingtheconceptofthemilliondollarquestion.Thesceneincludesamysteriousdimlylitroomwithaspotlight-768x439.png 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/21032958\/DALLE2023-11-1415.17.05-Awidecinematicphotographdepictingtheconceptofthemilliondollarquestion.Thesceneincludesamysteriousdimlylitroomwithaspotlight-700x400.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In English expressions using numbers, many do not make sense if you try to translate them into another language directly. They often have a figurative meaning, so it's better to remember them as idiomatic expressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Million-dollar_question\"><\/span><strong>Million-dollar question<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This refers to a very important issue or a difficult question. Answers to these questions are often considered to be very valuable information.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">Who will<a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/study\/daily-news-lesson-roundup-us-politics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> win the election<\/a> is the million-dollar question right now.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_thousand_times_no\"><\/span><strong>A thousand times no<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We use this expression as a way to refuse something very strongly. It expresses much more determination than simply saying \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">When asked if he would ever cheat, he replied, \"A thousand times no.\"<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sixth_sense\"><\/span><strong>Sixth sense<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Humans generally have five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. A \u201csixth sense,\u201d then, represents intuition, or a special ability to see or understand things that are not clear in the physical world.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">I didn't see anything, but my sixth sense told me to be careful.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<p>This is also the title of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1WWK9m9FhuQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">popular thriller<\/a> from 1999 about a young boy with mysterious abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Catch-22\"><\/span><strong>Catch-22<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This expression comes from Joseph Heller's novel <em>Catch-22<\/em> from 1961. It refers to a situation or rule that seems to <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/app\/words\/word\/contradict\/0k2Za9jCT7OEsPoMJvPrHw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">contradict<\/a>, or disagree with, itself. It is often used when getting a positive result is impossible no matter what kind of action is taken.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">I need a job to gain experience, but without experience, I can't get a job. It's a real catch-22!<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"On_cloud_nine\"><\/span><strong>On cloud nine<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Being \"on cloud nine\" means experiencing extreme happiness. Its origin is not clear, but it is believed to be related to categories of clouds in American meteorology, the study of weather.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">She was on cloud nine after she got promoted at work.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Second_nature\"><\/span><strong>Second nature<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If something is \u201csecond nature\u201d to you, it means you can do it easily and naturally. In other words, it\u2019s just like an ability you were born with.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">Playing the piano is second nature to her; she doesn't even need to think about the notes.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Expressions_with_cultural_and_historical_background\"><\/span><strong>Expressions with cultural and historical background<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/21033132\/shutterstock_2194916413-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"An illustration of a mouth talking rapidly\" class=\"wp-image-7493\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/21033132\/shutterstock_2194916413-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/21033132\/shutterstock_2194916413-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/21033132\/shutterstock_2194916413-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/21033132\/shutterstock_2194916413-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/21033132\/shutterstock_2194916413-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The expressions in this section have a strong connection to the religious and cultural backgrounds they come from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_third_times_the_charm\"><\/span><strong>The third time&#8217;s the charm<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This expresses the idea that something will be successful when tried for the third time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Historically, the number 3 has represented completeness or holiness. Christianity has the concept of the Trinity, and in many folktales and stories, 3 plays an important role.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">After failing the first two times, I finally passed the test. The third time's the charm!<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"At_sixes_and_sevens\"><\/span><strong>At sixes and sevens<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is an expression that is more common in British English. It is said to have originated from the idea that rolling a six or seven in a dice game meant players were in a risky  situation. These days, it refers to a state of confusion or disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">With the deadline coming soon, our team was at sixes and sevens.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Talk_nineteen_to_the_dozen\"><\/span><strong>Talk nineteen to the dozen<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is another mostly British expression, originally used in the 19th century to refer to a system for working in coal mines efficiently. It\u2019s now used to mean talking very quickly and energetically.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">She starts talking nineteen to the dozen whenever she gets nervous.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrap-up\"><\/span><strong>Wrap-up<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The expressions we've introduced here relate to various situations, but they are all easy to use in everyday conversations. Mastering them all will bring you one step closer to using English like a native speaker, so be sure to use them the next time you get the chance!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Written by Amy, adapted by David<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you heard the expression \u201cat the eleventh hour\u201d? What do you think it might mean? If you don\u2019t already know, it would be difficult to guess, but this is just one example of the...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":432,"featured_media":9075,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"unified_meta_tagline_field":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6,9],"tags":[29],"class_list":["post-7487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-language-tips","category-travel-fun","tag-idioms"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Clouds, Wheels and Charms: 14 English Idioms Based on Numbers | Engoo Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Numbers play a big role in many English idioms. From zero to 10 and beyond, add these fun and strange expressions to your conversations!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/clouds-wheels-and-charms-14-english-idioms-based-on-numbers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Clouds, Wheels and Charms: 14 English Idioms Based on Numbers | Engoo Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Numbers play a big role in many English idioms. 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