# count noses

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/count-noses
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To count people one at a time.

## Examples

- The teacher needs to count noses before the bus leaves.
- Before we start the tour, the guide will count noses to make sure everyone is here.
- The event coordinator paused to count noses, ensuring that every guest had arrived before the formal dinner service commenced.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.