Phrasal verb
count down to
Definition
phrasal verb. to wait for a special event by counting the days or hours until it starts. You use this when you are excited about something coming soon.
phrasal verb. to wait with anticipation for a specific future event by tracking the remaining time. The verb is intransitive but requires the preposition 'to' to introduce the target event.
Examples
“We are counting down to the summer holidays.”
“The children are counting down to Christmas, checking their advent calendars every single morning.”
“Scientists at the space agency were counting down to the launch, monitoring every technical parameter with extreme precision.”
Examples
simple
“We are counting down to the summer holidays.”
contextual
“The children are counting down to Christmas, checking their advent calendars every single morning.”
complex
“Scientists at the space agency were counting down to the launch, monitoring every technical parameter with extreme precision.”
Usage
Usually used in the continuous form ('counting down') to emphasize the ongoing feeling of anticipation.
Teaching tip
Contrast with the literal 'count down' (from 10 to 1); this version focuses on the psychological state of waiting for a deadline or event.
Pitfall
I am counting down for my birthday.
I am counting down to my birthday.
The phrasal verb 'count down' requires the preposition 'to' rather than 'for' when indicating the target event.
Phrasal verb
Particles
down to
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
count + down + to + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/count-down-to