counter (redirected from countered)

a bargaining chip (British, American & Australian, British)

something that you can use to make someone do what you want. The workers' strongest bargaining chip in the negotiations is the threat of strike action. Hostages were used as a bargaining counter during the seige.

See also: bargain, chip

a bean counter (informal)

an impolite way of describing someone who is responsible for the financial decisions within a company. When decisions that affect people's lives are in the hands of bean counters, it's bad news.

See also: bean

over the counter

if a type of medicine is available over the counter, you can buy it without the permission of a doctor. You can't buy antibiotics over the counter - they're a prescription drug.

See also: over

over-the-counter

over the counter - if a type of medicine is available over the counter, you can buy it without the permission of a doctor. Many over-the-counter painkillers contain paracetamol. (always before noun)

under the counter

if something is bought or sold under the counter it is bought or sold secretly or in a way that is not legal. Many of his books are banned and only available under the counter.

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run counter to something

to be the opposite of something. The article presents facts that run counter to what many of us believed had happened.

See also: run