on all fours

• Posição em que uma pessoa ou animal se apoia nas mãos e nos joelhos ou nas quatro patas, geralmente para engatinhar, rastejar, procurar algo ou sustentar o peso do corpo. Também pode ser usada de forma figurada para indicar submissão ou humilhação.

A phrase describing a position where a person or animal is on their hands and knees, or all four limbs, typically used for crawling, searching, or supporting weight.

1. Body positionB1formal

   In a position with both hands and knees on the ground.

   De quatro

   • The baby crawled on all fours across the room.
   • He got down on all fours to look for his keys under the sofa.
   • The yoga instructor asked us to rest on all fours.

2. Consistent or analogousC1formalbritish

   In agreement or correspondence with something; analogous.

   Correspondente

   • This case is on all fours with the previous precedent.
   • The two arguments are not on all fours with each other.
   • The judge found the situation to be on all fours with the earlier ruling.