by the thousands

In huge quantities, presumably numbering several thousand. When the potato famine hit Ireland, the Irish began emigrating—especially to America—by the thousands.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Olivia	['ɔliviə]
Mwenye	-	Eastern African, Swahili
RubÉN	roo-BEN	Spanish
Rose	[rəuz]
Barrett	BAR-ət	English
Ryan	RIE-ən	Irish, English