put two and two together

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase put two and two together, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression put two and two together used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "put two and two together"

Meaning

The phrase "put two and two together" is an idiom used to describe the process of using one's intuition to form a logical conclusion. It is often used in conversation to suggest that a certain deduction or inference has been made based on one's own knowledge and observation. The phrase implies that the conclusion is not necessarily provable, but is intuitively sound.

Etymology

The origin of the phrase "put two and two together" dates back to the 16th century. The first known use of the phrase was by English poet William Shakespeare in his comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream in 1595. In the play, one of the characters, Theseus, says to his future bride, Hermia, "I may well put two and two together, that goodly wisdom and her birthright shall enthrall." This suggests that Shakespeare was using the phrase to describe the process of logic being used to make a decision.

Usage

The phrase "put two and two together" is most often used in a figurative sense to talk about the process of deduction and intuition. It is typically used to suggest that the speaker has made a logical deduction or inference based on the evidence they have at hand. It is also often used to describe a decision being made by another person, particularly one that is not immediately apparent. In this sense, the phrase implies that the person making the deduction has made a sound decision based on their intuition and knowledge.

Example Sentences

• He didn't need to be told what had happened, he was able to put two and two together.
• When he heard about the affair, he put two and two together and realized what had been going on.
• After hearing the news, she was able to put two and two together and figure out what had happened.

The Surprising Origins of Everyday English Idioms

Many English idioms have surprisingly dark origins, often rooted in violence, death, and superstition. For instance, the phrase "raining cats and dogs" is said to have originated in the 17th century, when heavy rain would often cause dead animals to wash up on the streets. Meanwhile, the idiom "rule of thumb" is believed to have originated from a law that allowed men to beat their wives with a stick no thicker than their thumb.