9 (number) - Idioms and Popular Phrases

Idioms and Popular Phrases

  • "A cat-o'-nine-tails suggests perfect punishment and atonement." --Robert Ripley.
  • The word "K-9" pronounces the same as canine and is used in many U.S. police departments to denote the police dog unit. Despite not sounding like the translation of the word canine in other languages, many police and military units around the world use the same designation.
  • Someone dressed "to the nines" is dressed up as much as they can be.
  • In urban culture, "nine" is a slang word for a 9mm pistol or homicide, the latter from the Illinois Criminal Code for homicide.

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