thick and threefold

English

Adverb

thick and threefold (not comparable)

  1. (dated, idiomatic) In quick succession, or in great numbers.
    • c. 1515–1516, published 1568, John Skelton, Againſt venemous tongues enpoyſoned with ſclaunder and falſe detractions &c.:
      A ſclaunderous tunge, a tunge of a ſkolde,
      Worketh more miſchiefe than can be tolde;
      That, if I wiſt not to be controlde,
      Yet ſomwhat to ſay I dare well be bolde,
      How ſome delite for to lye, thycke and threfolde.
    • 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: [], London: [] R[ichard] Sare, [], →OCLC:
      They came thick and threefold for a time, as she expected they should, till at last, one experienc'd stager that had baffled twenty traps and tricks before, discover'd the plot, and quite spoyl'd the jest.
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