two-by-four adjective 2two by four noun 3forms 2 adjective2 •Measuring two inches by four inches. •Small or cramped. two by four noun3 •(US, Canada) A length of sawn wood of cross section nominally 2 inches by 4 inches (actual dimensions 1½ × 3½ in modern use), most often employed as structural framing lumber (dimensional lumber).Well, Moses stood on the Red Sea shore, And smote the water with a two by four — 1959 •(US, old-fashioned) A small, modest building.He'll plan a two by four / But not for me. — 1930 •(slang) Synonym of Tijuana Bible (“kind of pornographic comic book”).[…] the movie plot of Superman II, in which Superman and Lois Lane work up to a sexual liaison (which was seen before 1960 only in “two by fours” and similar pornographic comic strips.). — 2008 formstwo by fours · two-by-fours
