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Glite Dictionary
all sixes and nines

all sixes and nines

9.9
In a confused and disorganized state
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : todo en desorden
  • The office was all sixes and nines after the sudden staff changes.

Examples

  • We were all sixes and nines trying to figure out the new schedule.

  • We found ourselves all sixes and nines when we tried to organize the event without a plan.

  • After the surprise announcement, the team was left all sixes and nines.

  • Since the new manager arrived, the office has been all sixes and nines.

  • Why is your room all sixes and nines?

  • After the surprise announcement, the team was left all sixes and nines due to the lack of clear direction.

  • Since the new manager arrived, the office has been all sixes and nines, making it difficult for everyone to concentrate.

Synonyms

all over the place
vsall sixes and nines
  • Informal
283 4.8

In a confused, disorganized way with things or thoughts scattered

is an informal idiom that highlights the same scattered disarray
chaotic
vsall sixes and nines
116 4.7

Not organized and full of confusion

is an informal phrase that suggests general disorder rather than total chaos
mixed-up
vsall sixes and nines
  • Informal
82 4.9

Confused and unsure because different ideas or instructions do not agree

is an idiomatic way to describe the same confused condition
confused
vsall sixes and nines
18 1.0

Messy and not in order, with things mixed up

is a colourful informal label for that same lack of order
muddle
vsall sixes and nines
9 5.0

A confused, disorganized situation where things are not in order

is a vivid informal idiom naming that same overall disorder
in a mess
vsall sixes and nines
9 1.6

Something that is untidy and not in order

is an informal idiom often used to call that same messy state
muddled
vsall sixes and nines
7 5.4

Confused and not in clear order so hard to understand

is a colourful informal phrase used for that same confused state
disordered
vsall sixes and nines
7 4.5

Not arranged in a clear or tidy way

is an informal idiomatic way to describe that lack of order
addled
vsall sixes and nines
6 7.3

Confused and unable to think clearly

is a colloquial idiom that often refers to broader messy situations
disorderly
vsall sixes and nines
4 4.5

A place or thing that is untidy and not in order

is a lively informal expression for that same messy condition
discombobulated
vsall sixes and nines
  • Informal
2 9.9

Confused and unable to think clearly after something unexpected

is a lively informal expression applied to that same unsettled state
topsy-turvy
vsall sixes and nines
  • Informal
1 7.5

Mixed up and in a messy, confused state

is an informal idiom used to picture that same upset order
helter-skelter
vsall sixes and nines
1 7.3

In a confused, messy way with no order

is an idiomatic expression used to call that same chaotic manner
at sixes and sevens
vsall sixes and nines
  • Informal
1 9.9

A confused, disorganized state where people do not know what to do

is a closely related idiom with the same sense of disorder
addlepated
vsall sixes and nines
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Confused and acting silly with a muddled, forgetful mind

is an informal phrase mostly used for wide external confusion
jumbled
vsall sixes and nines
3.8

Mixed together in a confused and untidy way

is a colloquial phrase that labels that same mixed disorder
hugger-mugger
vsall sixes and nines
  • Archaic
9.9

Being confused and disorganized

is a regional idiom that expresses that same total disorder
arsy varsy
vsall sixes and nines
  • Archaic
9.9

A state of confusion where things are mixed up and messy

is a similar informal phrase used for the same chaotic state
in great confusion
vsall sixes and nines
5.2

With much hurry and disorder

is a colloquial way to name that same frantic confusion
mazed
vsall sixes and nines
9.6

Confused and unable to think clearly

is an idiomatic phrase that leans more to general disorder than puzzlement
befuddled
vsall sixes and nines
7.4

Confused and unable to think clearly

is a more playful informal phrase used for external disorder

Antonyms

clear
∞ 1.0

Easy to understand and not confusing

organized
  • US
19 2.0

Having things in order so they are easy to find

How Organized

organized
  • US
19 2.0
tidy
47 1.0
all sixes and nines
  • Informal
9.9
chaos
438 3.1

Surface Forms

all sixes and nines positive

Morphology

all + sixes + and + nines

The sense 'in a state of confusion or disorder' cannot be derived from the literal constituents 'all', 'sixes' and 'nines'—these are just number words and a conjunction and give no clue to disorder. This expression is idiomatic (a variant of 'at sixes and sevens') with an opaque historical origin, so a B1 learner who only knows the individual words would not predict its meaning.

Etymology

All sixes and nines may come from the simple image of a six and a nine being the same shape turned the other way. One popular story says people often mixed them up, making a number or list look 'confused' or 'in disorder', so the phrase now means 'in a state of confusion or disorder'.