AT SIXES AND SEVENS

一看到这个短语，聪明的读者可能立刻联就想到汉语中类似的表达如『乱七八糟』、『七上八下』、『七零八落』等等，这些词语大多都是杂乱无章乱糟糟之意。说来人类思维还真有相通的成份，作为思维载体的语言就表现出在表达上的相似性，英语中以数字组成的词语也有相似的含意。at six and sevens 的英文释义为：not in order; in confusion; in a mess，和汉语中的『七零八落 』、『乱七八糟』如出一辄。例如：

They held a party last night and everything was at sixes and sevens when the guests left.

【中】昨晚他们开了一个家庭聚会。当客人散尽之后，一切物品都挪了位置。

另外，在具体的上下文中，该片语的实际含意也有所变化。例如：

It's far from the only authorities who are at sixes and sevens on this problem.

【中】在这个问题上莫衷一是的人算不得绝对权威。

After the captain of the team broke his leg, the other players were at sixs and sevens.

【中】球队队长摔断了腿，其他队员陷入了一片混乱。

The menbers couldn't come to an agreement. They were at sixes and sevens.

【中】委员们不能达成一致意见。他们各持己见。