三两下

[chavalit]

I came across this kind of sentence:

someone三两下就do something

I think 三两下 means quickly, easily, but couldn't find it in any dictionary. Is this correct? Why the words three and two? Where does this expression come from?

[skylee]

It is the same as 兩三下. Take a look at this dictionary entry -> http://dict.revised.moe.edu.tw/cgi-bin/newDict/dict.sh?cond=%A8%E2%A4T%A4U&pieceLen=50&fld=1&cat=&ukey=1729872214&serial=2&recNo=2&op=&imgFont=1 (if the page is time-out, just paste 兩三下 to the search box)

兩三下

形容動作純熟迅速。如：「她兩三下就把一大堆資料整理得有條不紊。」

[skylee]

Also take a look at 新華字典 -> http://xh.5156edu.com/show.php?id=1673&f_key=三

三下五除二

sānxiàwǔchúèr

〖at one go〗原为珠算口诀,现在常用来形容办事或动作敏捷利落。近似“三下两下”

[chavalit]

Thanks a lot.

[cockneylad]

三两下

三 = Three

两 = 二 = Two

下 = Time(s) i.e. a few "times"

三两下 = Three or Two times

In fact, it means to do/finish/complete/etc something (with no difficulties) within three or even as less as two times attempts.

Example: 刘翔三两下就把金牌拿下来了 (Liu Xiang got the gold medal easily)