General
up to ninety
What does up to ninety mean?
Very busy, flustered or agitated; going flat out. Also 'the craic was ninety' meaning great fun.
"I've been up to ninety all day with the kids."
Origin
Hiberno-English idiom, likely from a speed/speedometer image.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'up to ninety' mean?
It means being extremely busy, flustered or worked up, going flat out.
Where does 'up to ninety' come from?
It is a Hiberno-English idiom, most likely drawing on the image of a speedometer at high speed.
What does 'the craic was ninety' mean?
A related phrase meaning the fun was great, using the same 'ninety' as a marker of intensity rather than stress.
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