“A bunch of fives” is an idiom in the English language that people use in everyday conversation. You have likely used this expression yourself at some point, but many people don’t know its true meaning. Understand the meaning of this idiom, learn where it came from, and see some example sentences to help you use it in daily conversation.
Meaning of the Idiom
‘A bunch of fives’ is an idiom used to describe a clenched fist, typically one that is about to be used in a punch. The phrase emphasizes the hand gesture formed by clenching the five fingers into a tight group or “bunch.” It is often employed in a colloquial or informal context to convey the idea of physical confrontation or a threatening gesture.
Origin of the Idiom
The origin of ‘a bunch of fives’ as a term for a clenched fist can be traced back to British slang. The word “fives” refers to the five fingers of the hand, and the term “a bunch of fives” vividly captures the image of a hand ready for physical confrontation. While the exact origin is not pinpointed, it gained popularity in the mid-20th century and has since become a colorful expression in English.
10 Idiom Example Sentences
1. The heated argument escalated, and before we knew it, he raised a bunch of fives in a threatening gesture.
2. The boxer clenched a bunch of fives before landing a powerful punch on his opponent.
3. When faced with the bully, Timmy balled up his hand into a bunch of fives to show he wouldn’t back down.
4. The tension in the room was palpable as both parties exchanged words, and one of them formed a bunch of fives in frustration.
5. She jokingly threatened her friend with a bunch of fives when he teased her about the embarrassing incident.
6. The disgruntled employee, frustrated with the unfair treatment, gestured a bunch of fives as a sign of protest.
7. In the movie, the tough character was known for clenching a bunch of fives before engaging in a fight scene.
8. The angry motorist shook his fist, forming a bunch of fives, at the reckless driver who cut him off.
9. The confrontation reached its peak when one of them clenched a bunch of fives, ready for a physical altercation.
10. During the argument, both parties exchanged harsh words, and one of them made a bunch of fives to emphasize their point.
How to Use ‘A Bunch of Fives’ in Everyday Conversations
Now that you know the meaning and origin of the idiom “a bunch of fives,” let’s see how you can use it in a real-world conversation.
Conversation 1:
Harry and Liam are chatting about a scuffle they saw at the pub.
Harry: Did you see that guy throw a punch? Looked like he was ready to give him a bunch of fives.
Liam: Yeah, he didn’t hold back. That could’ve turned into a serious fight.
Harry: Definitely. Some people just don’t know when to walk away.
Conversation 2:
Emma and Jake are talking about a heated argument Jake had with a teammate.
Emma: How’d the argument go? You looked pretty mad.
Jake: I was so close to giving him a bunch of fives, but I held back. No need to make things worse.
Emma: Probably a good call. Things can get out of hand fast.
Jake: For sure. Glad I kept my cool.
Similar Idioms
1. Knuckle Sandwich
Meaning: This slang term refers humorously to a punch, implying the threat or act of hitting someone.
Example: He was so angry he warned the bully he’d give him a knuckle sandwich if he didn’t back off.
2. Lay Hands On
Meaning: This phrase can mean to physically attack or grab someone, often in a confrontational way.
Example: He told his friend not to lay hands on anyone, even if he was provoked.
Idioms Starting From Letter A
Each and every letter of the English alphabet has hundreds of idioms. As in this post, we are talking about the idiom beginning with the letter A. There are many other idioms that also start with the ‘A’, which can be useful to you. We have gathered all the A-starting idiomatic expressions on a single page to make it easy for you to find the best and most useful idioms starting with the letter A.
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