take the count
To lose or fail.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The team took the count after losing the final game.”
“The small business took the count when the new competitor opened across the street.”
“Despite his initial confidence, the politician took the count once the final election results confirmed his defeat.”
- 01
be taken ill
To become ill.
- 02
count angels on pinheads
To focus on obtaining the correct details of something which are largely irrelevant or unimportant.
- 03
count noses
To count people one at a time.
- 04
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.
- 05
count one's days
To prepare for imminent retribution or termination.
- 06
count sheep
To attempt to go to sleep by thinking of something boring, traditionally by counting imaginary sheep.
- 07
count to five
Synonym of count to ten.
- 08
count to ten
An expression used to describe or recommend a process for pausing to regain one's composure when one is on the verge of losing one's temper.
Last updated August 10, 2026