E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Go on all Fours.
Perfect in all points. We say of a pun or riddle, “It does not go on all fours,” it will not hold good in every way. Lord Macaulay says, “It is not easy to make a simile go on all fours.” Sir Edward Coke says, “Nullum sim’ile quat’uor ped’ibus currit.” The metaphor is taken from a horse, which is lame if only one of its legs is injured. All four must be sound in order that it may go.
