The phrase "goes all fours" is spelled with a long "o" sound in "goes" and "four," and a short "o" sound in "all." The IPA phonetic transcription for "goes" is /ɡoʊz/, with the diphthong symbol "oʊ" representing a long "o" sound. For "all," the transcription is /ɔːl/ which includes the symbol "ɔː" representing a short "o" sound. "Fours" is simply spelled phonetically as /fɔːrz/ with the same short "o" sound in "four." The phrase means to walk on all fours, like a four-legged animal.
The phrase "goes all fours" refers to the physical action of a human or animal positioning themselves on their hands and knees to move or navigate their surroundings. This idiom derives its meaning from the four limbs being utilized for movement, resembling the movement of a quadruped creature. When an individual goes all fours, they lower themselves down to place their palms and fingers along with their knees or palms and feet on the ground, creating a stable base of support. This method of locomotion promotes stability and allows for increased speed and maneuverability, especially in crawling or creeping situations.
The term "goes all fours" can also be used metaphorically to describe a person's behavior or actions when they revert to a primal or instinctual state. In this context, it implies the abandonment of civilized or refined behavior and adopting a more primitive approach. It denotes behaving in a manner that is considered base, uncultured, or lacking sophistication. When a person goes all fours in a metaphorical sense, they may display behaviors that are impulsive, uninhibited, or lacking in refinement.
Overall, "goes all fours" refers to both the physical act of moving on hands and knees as well as the metaphorical act of abandoning civilized behavior for more primal instincts.