one to begin, two to show, three to make ready, and four to go

Alternative form of one for the money, two for the show, three to make ready, and four to go.

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Meanings

phrase
  1. alternativeAlternative form of one for the money, two for the show, three to make ready, and four to go.

    His playmate talks a great deal; as, when going to run, he says, 'One to begin, two to show, three to make ready, and four to go.' J. attempted every part of this, though not a word was distinct.

    1894, The Pedagogical Seminary, volumes 3-4, page 44
Cite this entry
APA

one to begin, two to show, three to make ready, and four to go. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/one%20to%20begin%2C%20two%20to%20show%2C%20three%20to%20make%20ready%2C%20and%20four%20to%20go

MLA

“one to begin, two to show, three to make ready, and four to go.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/one%20to%20begin%2C%20two%20to%20show%2C%20three%20to%20make%20ready%2C%20and%20four%20to%20go. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “one to begin, two to show, three to make ready, and four to go,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/one%20to%20begin%2C%20two%20to%20show%2C%20three%20to%20make%20ready%2C%20and%20four%20to%20go.

Source: one to begin, two to show, three to make ready, and four to go on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.