English Reference
Idiom idiom

count one's days


To prepare for imminent retribution or termination.

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


SIMPLE

The old computer is counting its days.

CONTEXTUAL

After the manager discovered the theft, the dishonest employee knew he was counting his days at the company.

COMPLEX

As the rebellion gained momentum and the city walls began to crumble, the corrupt dictator realized he was counting his days in power.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a cold day in July

    The time of occurrence of an event that will never happen.

  2. 02

    a day late and a dollar short

    Too late and too feeble to achieve the desired effect.

  3. 03

    a year and a day

    A long time.

  4. 04

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  5. 05

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  6. 06

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  7. 07

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  8. 08

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

Last updated August 10, 2026