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three score and ten

idiom
Meaning

Seventy, being the number of years in a full lifetime of traditionally-expected duration.


Origin

disputed origin

From the Bible, Psalm 90, verse 10: "The days of our years are three score and ten."

Examples
SIMPLE

He lived to be three score and ten.

CONTEXTUAL

My grandfather celebrated his birthday with a large party, having reached the age of three score and ten.

COMPLEX

Reflecting on his long life, the author noted that he had surpassed the traditional span of three score and ten years.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a hundred and ten percent

    A level of effort beyond what one can usually sustain; great exertion.

  2. 02

    card of ten

    A bold front, an instance of standing one's ground.

  3. 03

    cock and Hen

    [Cockney slang]ten

  4. 04

    count to ten

    An expression used to describe or recommend a process for pausing to regain one's composure when one is on the verge of losing one's temper.

  5. 05

    count to three

    Synonym of count to ten.

  6. 06

    even the score

    To seek or obtain revenge against someone.

  7. 07

    five will get you ten

    I strongly believe.

  8. 08

    four score and seven years ago

    Used (sometimes sarcastically) to indicate that a past event being mentioned is particularly important: a long time ago; many years ago.

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