on all fours
Like a baby
On all fours means with hands and knees (or hands and feet) on the ground, like a four-legged animal: The baby crawled around on all fours.
The position suggests searching, playing, or being reduced to an animal-like state: We were on all fours looking for the lost earring.
In legal and logical contexts, on all fours describes cases or arguments that match completely in all relevant respects.
Moving slowly, stealthily
- crawlMove slowly, low
- scuttleSink intentionally; hurried shuffle
- scamperQuick, light-footed dash
- scurryHurried small-stepped motion
clamber · shuffle · inch · wriggle · squirm · toddler · infant · prowl
creeping
Moving slowly, stealthily
scurry · clamber · shuffle · inch · wriggle · squirm · toddler · infant · prowl · slither
quadrupedal
Walking on four legs
prone · prostrate · genuflecting · bowing · doggy-style · floor · ground · yoga · exercise · stretch
on all foursstanding upright
upright · standing · erect · standing tall · vertical
on all foursstanding tall
Remaining proudly upright
head held high · proudly · unbowed · on a pedestal · lording over
on all foursupstanding
Morally upright, honest
bolt upright · head held high · on tiptoe · elevated · raised up
all, fours, four, fourth, fourthly, fourteen, fourteenth, forty, fortieth