four by two

plural four by twos · alternative four-by-two

1. AustraliaNew ZealandUKA length of sawn wood of cross section 4 inches by 2 inches, most often employed as structural framing lumber / timber.

   He eyed Norman, who was lifting one end of a four-by-two and sighting down it, as his Bendigo uncle had taught him to sight new beams, seeking out the bow.

   2009, Joy Dettman, Pearl in a Cage, page 110

   2 more examples

   She would sit here sometimes, perched on a bag of concrete looking at the big lumps of four by two and imagining what she might do with them if she had a chance.

   1994, Peter Carey, Collected Stories, page 206

   I found myself in overalls, work boots, gloves and protective glasses splitting planks of four-by-two and stacking them on pallets.[…]From rock star to Rajah of the Radio (Paul Keating′s line) to the ARIA Hall of Fame to being John Farnham′s manager for twenty-five years to a convicted criminal splitting four-by-twos.

   2010, Glenn Wheatley, Glenn Wheatley: Facing the Music, page 109

   Synonyms: two by four

2. AustraliaUKgovernmentA cotton cloth 4 inches wide with lines two inches apart, conveniently torn into two inch lengths for cleaning a rifle barrel using a pull through.
3. CockneyslangA Jew.