English Reference
Idiom idiom

count noses


To count people one at a time.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

The teacher needs to count noses before the bus leaves.

CONTEXTUAL

Before we start the tour, the guide will count noses to make sure everyone is here.

COMPLEX

The event coordinator paused to count noses, ensuring that every guest had arrived before the formal dinner service commenced.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    banana nose

    A large, unusually long nose.

  2. 02

    button nose

    A nose with a small size and a relatively flat, round shape, usually considered to be dainty or cute in appearance.

  3. 03

    camel's nose

    A situation where the permitting of some small act will lead to a larger undesirable act or circumstance.

  4. 04

    count angels on pinheads

    To focus on obtaining the correct details of something which are largely irrelevant or unimportant.

  5. 05

    count one's blessings

    To focus one's attention on the circumstances of one's life which are pleasant or fortunate, especially with the intention of diverting one's thoughts from serious or disagreeable matters.

  6. 06

    count one's days

    To prepare for imminent retribution or termination.

  7. 07

    count sheep

    To attempt to go to sleep by thinking of something boring, traditionally by counting imaginary sheep.

  8. 08

    count to five

    Synonym of count to ten.

Last updated August 10, 2026