Three sheets to the wind meaning

"Three sheets to the wind" means extremely drunk or intoxicated.


Three sheets to the wind definitions

Word backwards eerht steehs ot eht dniw
Part of speech This phrase functions as an adverbial phrase.
Syllabic division three sheets to the wind / three / sheets / to / the / wind /
Plural The plural of "three sheets to the wind" is "three sheets to the wind." The phrase itself is already in plural form as it refers to multiple instances of someone being heavily intoxicated.
Total letters 20
Vogais (3) e,o,i
Consonants (7) t,h,r,s,w,n,d

What does it mean to be three sheets to the wind?

When someone is described as three sheets to the wind, it means they are heavily intoxicated or drunk. The phrase originates from sailing lingo, where "sheets" refer to rope lines that control the position of sails. If these ropes were flapping loosely in the wind, the sails would be out of control, causing the ship to lurch and stagger much like a drunk person.

Origin of the expression

The term "three sheets to the wind" first appeared in the late 18th century and has been used ever since to describe someone who is inebriated. It suggests that the person has lost all sense of balance and coordination, much like a ship with its sails untethered.

Using the phrase in context

When someone is said to be three sheets to the wind, it implies that they are not just a little drunk but significantly intoxicated. It is a colorful way of describing a person who has had too much alcohol and is now stumbling or behaving erratically.

Overall, being three sheets to the wind is not a state that most people aspire to be in, as it often leads to poor decision-making and potential embarrassment. It's a reminder to drink responsibly and be mindful of your alcohol consumption to avoid reaching this level of intoxication.


Three sheets to the wind Examples

  1. After drinking several beers at the bar, he was three sheets to the wind and could barely stand.
  2. The party was wild, with everyone getting three sheets to the wind by the end of the night.
  3. She decided to walk home from the party despite being three sheets to the wind.
  4. He regretted getting three sheets to the wind at the office holiday party.
  5. The sailors were three sheets to the wind after a long night celebrating their latest voyage.
  6. Despite being three sheets to the wind, he thought it would be a good idea to drive home.
  7. She woke up feeling terrible after being three sheets to the wind the night before.
  8. He laughed at his own jokes, clearly three sheets to the wind at the family gathering.
  9. The bartender cut him off when he became three sheets to the wind and started causing a scene.
  10. She couldn't believe her friend got three sheets to the wind after just a few drinks.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 27/04/2024 - 00:04:32