his number is up
something very bad will happen to him
TRANSLATION
Jetzt ist er dran; seine Zeit ist abgelaufen; das Spiel aus.
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
"BRAZIL'S superstitious former manager, Mario Zagallo, believes, contrary to tradition, that 13 is his lucky number. He lives at No 13, on the 13th floor, was married on the 13th and has 13 in his car registration. But this time HIS NUMBER IS UP. Last week he was sacked by Sao Paulo club Portuguesa - 13 games into the season."
(Sunday Times - 17th Oct 1999)
(Sunday Times - 17th Oct 1999)
Did you
know?
his number is up
To have "one's number up" means to be in trouble or dead.
This phrase is probably of military origin where numbers would be drawn from a hat to decide who would engage in a dangerous or deadly mission.
To have "one's number up" means to be in trouble or dead.
This phrase is probably of military origin where numbers would be drawn from a hat to decide who would engage in a dangerous or deadly mission.
