count off
phr. v..phr. v.. to say numbers out loud in a sequence to check how many people or things are in a group.
phr. v.. to recite numbers in a series to verify a total or to assign individuals to specific subgroups.
The teacher asked the students to count off by twos.
Before boarding the bus, the tour guide had everyone count off to ensure no one was left behind.
The sergeant commanded the platoon to count off, ensuring every soldier was present and accounted for before the drill commenced.
often used with 'by' to indicate the interval, such as 'count off by threes'.
this is a common classroom management phrase; distinguish it from 'count on' (rely) or 'count out' (exclude).
They counted off them.They counted them off.when using a pronoun as the object, it must go between the verb and the particle.