King: We had the numbers

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Marius Hancu - 30 Jul 2009 12:55 GMT

Hello:

"had the numbers"
Does this mean they had numerical superiority?

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We had them boxed in and gave them a hiding, working fast because
someone would've called the old bill. We had the numbers and kicked
them into next week.

John King, The Football Factory, p. 1
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Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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Peter Duncanson (BrE) - 30 Jul 2009 13:38 GMT

>Hello:
>
>"had the numbers"
>Does this mean they had numerical superiority?

Probably. It certainly means that they were not outnumbered.

They had sufficient numbers to "kick them into next week" and to do it
quickly.

>---
>We had them boxed in and gave them a hiding, working fast because
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>John King, The Football Factory, p. 1
>---

Signature

Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

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Marius Hancu - 30 Jul 2009 16:42 GMT

On Jul 30, 8:38 am, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)" <m...@peterduncanson.net>
wrote:

> >"had the numbers"
> >Does this mean they had numerical superiority?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> They had sufficient numbers to "kick them into next week" and to do it
> quickly.

Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / July 2009

King: We had the numbers