four sheets to the wind

English

Etymology

By analogy with three sheets to the wind.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Adjective

four sheets to the wind (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic) Extremely drunk.
   • 1975 Tom Waits, "Spare Parts 1 (A Nocturnal Emission)," Nighthawks at the Diner, Asylum Records

     You see, it's a well known fact, you know / I'm four sheets to the wind, I'm glad you're gone

   • 2005 Richard LeVine, Awakening Waves: A True Adventure Story, Warm Wisdom Press, p133

     After a couple of hours many people were four sheets to the wind, having had a few too many drinks.

   • 2009, Linda Hamalian, The Cramoisy Queen: A Life of Caresse Crosby, SIU Press, page 9:

     He would flee the apartment when the baby fussed and cried, only to return much later four sheets to the wind.

Synonyms

• three sheets to the wind
• See also Thesaurus:drunk