The earliest writing systems were created not for words but for numbers, so human thought has been focused on counting since we began recording it. It figures, then, that we should have numerous idioms, proverbs, and expressions that use numbers.
In fact the word number itself can be found in any number of idioms. Here’s a look at a number of them, one by one.
1. any number of, phr. Several, many; an unknown number.
→ Helen might have heard the news from any number of people.
→ You could run into any number of problems when you move to New York.
2. by the numbers, adv. phr. Step by step, in the correct order of steps. This idiom comes from the military. The phrase uses number to mean the order or sequence of something. Similar: by the book. Opposite: by the seat of (one’s) pants.
→ Read the instructions when you put the computer together. Do it by the numbers.
→ Our old manager insisted we do everything by the numbers.
3. crunch numbers, v. phr. To work with or examine large amounts of numbers. This idiom started with computers, which process huge amounts of numbers. Related: number cruncher (see below).
→ Our accountant spent the week crunching numbers to see how much money our company can invest in the project.
→ Mary wanted to crunch some numbers before she decided which house to buy.
4. number cruncher, n. phr. A person whose job is to work with large amounts of numbers. This phrase originally referred to a computer or software that could make fast calculations.
→ I was so sorry to see our company accountant quit. She was the best number cruncher we ever had.
→ I hate working on my income taxes; I’m a terrible number cruncher.
5. (one’s) days are numbered, clause. Will not be in a job or position for long; will not live much longer. Here, number is used as a verb (passive voice). Similar: one’s number is up (see below).
→ I think our manager’s days (at this company) are numbered. He’s just not doing very well.
→ I knew my car’s days were numbered, so I began saving money to buy a new one.
6. (one’s) number is up, clause. (1) To be near death. (2) To be close to losing a position. This idiom originally referred to a lottery number, but soon became used broadly. Colloquial/slang.
→ By the time he arrived at the hospital, it was clear his number was up.
→ Jake knew his number was up at the company when he saw his manager’s face.
7. do a number on, v. phr. (1) To harm. (2) To trick or cheat. Colloquial/slang. This informal idiom is used mainly in the US.
→ Jill’s friends did a number on the house. It was a mess after the party.
→ Be careful. Windy weather like this will do a number on your hair.
8. get/have (someone’s) number, v. phr. To learn (get) or know (have) someone’s true motive or goal. Number here is used in the sense of “appraisal” (decision on how much money something is worth). The phrase goes back to at least the 1850s.
→ The salesman couldn’t fool me. I had his number.
→ I got his number a long time ago. I know I can’t trust him.
9. in round numbers, phr. An estimate, an approximate number. This idiom uses round in the sense of “round off,” or “inexact number” (e.g., 1,845 = 1,800). Also: in round figures. Similar: ballpark figure.
→ In round numbers, I’d say the car is worth a couple thousand dollars.
→ She didn’t need an exact figure. She said an estimate in round numbers would be OK.
10. number one, n. phr. The best, the most liked, or the highest ranked. This idiom is often written “No. 1.” Also an adjective.
→ Mary is number one in tennis.
→ Our team came in at number one this year. We’re the number one team.
Copyright 2020, by John Sailors. All rights reserved.
