count against
phr. v..phr. v.. to be a disadvantage to you or make people have a lower opinion of you.
phr. v.. to be considered a negative factor or disadvantage in an assessment of someone's merit or suitability.
His lack of experience might count against him.
The committee decided that her previous criminal record would count against her during the final selection process.
While the candidate's technical skills were impressive, his inability to demonstrate collaborative leadership during the interview ultimately counted against him.
- Particles
- against
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- count + against + object
the subject is usually a fact or quality, and the object is the person being disadvantaged.
contrast with 'work against' (more general) and 'hold against' (implies a personal grudge or specific blame); 'count against' is common in formal evaluations and interviews.
His lateness counted him against.His lateness counted against him.this phrasal verb is inseparable; the object must follow the particle 'against'.