four sheets to the wind

Derived from sailing ships. The 'sheet' in the phrase uses the nautical meaning of a rope that controls the trim of sail. If a sheet is loose, the sail flaps and doesn't provide control for the ship. Having several sheets loose ("to the wind") could cause the ship to rock about drunkenly.

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four sheets to the wind (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic) Extremely drunk
   • 1975 Tom Waits, "Spare Parts 1 (A Nocturnal Emission)," Nighthawks at the Diner, Asylum Records

     You see, it's a well known fact, you know / I'm four sheets to the wind, I'm glad you're gone

   • 2005 Richard LeVine, Awakening Waves: A True Adventure Story, Warm Wisdom Press, p133

     After a couple of hours many people were four sheets to the wind, having had a few too many drinks.

   • 2009 Linda Hamalian, The Cramoisy Queen: A Life of Caresse Crosby, SIU Press, p9

     He would flee the apartment when the baby fussed and cried, only to return much later four sheets to the wind.

• three sheets to the wind
• See also Thesaurus:drunk