ENGLISH
REFERENCE

count out

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to decide that someone or something is not included in a plan or activity.

phr. v.. to exclude someone or something from a group, activity, or consideration; often used when the subject feels they cannot participate or when a possibility is dismissed.


SIMPLE

If you are going hiking in the rain, count me out.

CONTEXTUAL

The team had to count out their star player for the final match due to a sudden knee injury.

COMPLEX

While many analysts have dismissed the startup's chances of success, it would be a mistake to count them out of the race just yet.

Particles
out
Separability
optional
Pattern
count + object + out
Usage

often used in the first person to decline an invitation or in the passive voice to show exclusion.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'count on' (to rely on) to show how the particle changes the meaning from inclusion/reliance to exclusion.

Pitfall

Please count out me.Please count me out.when the object is a pronoun like 'me', it must go between the verb and the particle.

© 2026 English Reference