When strong is used after a number，say in this sentence，
We suffered severely and came back only eighty strong.
does it refer to exactly 80, or more than 80, or approximately 80 survivals?
Learn English – When “strong” is used after a number，does it refer to that exact number or an approximate number？
word-meaningword-usage
Related Topic
- Learn English – Use of “whether” without “or not”
- Learn English – “all” vs “both”
- Learn English – What does “barely” imply when used with a quantity
- Learn English – How “would prefer” & “would rather” used in combination with “rather than” when refer to another person
- Learn English – when we say “I want to go to the beach”, does it refer to a specific beach
- Learn English – Which meaning of the word ‘flay’ has been applied in “flay him to within an inch of his life”
Best Answer
The Free dictionary defines (Definition No.18) 'Strong' as":
In this context, 'We suffered severely and came back only eighty strong.' simply means that 80 people survived and came back (to wherever it maybe). In plain words, this simply means:
So the number is 80. Not more, not less.