clue-by-four

See also: clue by four

English

Alternative forms

• clue by four

Etymology

Blend of clue +‎ two-by-four

Noun

clue-by-four (plural clue-by-fours)

1. (informal, humorous, figuratively) A notional weapon used to knock sense into the clueless.
   • 1993, anonymous author, “Re: Recent Events from the Horseman”, in alt.sex.bondage‎^[1] (Usenet):

     If I think they're a jerk who's using a march to show how cool and open minded they are, I pull out the ol' clue by four.

   • 1998, TCurryFan, Re: Carlos and Ashley?, alt.fan.power-rangers, [2]

     Nah... I'm not gonna waste a good clue-by-four on someone with no brain...

   • 2003, Willow Polson, The Veil's Edge: Exploring the Boundaries of Magic, page 152:

     Sometimes the magic "clue-by-four" is so obvious that even your oblivious rock-headed uncle picks up on it.

Synonyms

• cluestick
• cluebat