"Going on fours" is a colloquial expression used to describe the act of moving or walking on all fours, imitating the movement of four-legged animals. It refers to the physical position of an individual who is using both their hands and knees to support their body weight while moving. This form of locomotion is often associated with animals such as dogs, cats, or monkeys.
The term "going on fours" can also be used metaphorically to describe someone adopting a subservient, inferior, or subhuman posture or behavior. In this sense, it implies that the person is willingly or involuntarily assuming a position of weakness, vulnerability, or submission. This can be observed in situations where an individual is humiliated, oppressed, or forced into a disadvantageous position, either physically or figuratively.
The phrase "going on fours" can also be used idiomatically to describe someone who is behaving in a fawning or sycophantic manner, similar to how animals may grovel or crawl when seeking approval or favor from a superior. In this context, it often denotes a sense of obsequiousness, insincerity, or excessive flattery, typically in a professional or social setting.
Overall, whether used literally, metaphorically, or idiomatically, "going on fours" refers to a physical or psychological state characterized by an individual adopting a posture or behavior reminiscent of four-legged animals, highlighting aspects such as subservience, vulnerability, or excessive flattery.
