count one's chickens (before they hatch)

idiom

variants or British count one's chickens before they're hatched
usually used in negative statements to mean that someone should not depend on something hoped for until he or she knows for certain that it will happen
Don't count your chickens (before they hatch)—you don't know yet if she will accept your offer.

Dictionary Entries Near count one's chickens (before they hatch)

count one's blessings

count one's chickens (before they hatch)

countour

Cite this Entry

“Count one's chickens (before they hatch).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/count%20one%27s%20chickens%20%28before%20they%20hatch%29. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!