counter (redirected from counters)

counter someone or something with something

to refute someone or something with something. She countered our evidence with an eyewitness. I countered Nancy with a better argument.

counter with something

to say something in refutation of something; to strike back with something. Aren't you going to counter with an argument? He countered with a punch in the jaw.

over the counter

Fig. [of medication bought or sold] without a prescription. (Hyphenated when prenominal. See also under the counter.) This is a good product. You can buy it over the counter. I don't put much trust in over-the-counter medications.

run counter to something

to be in opposition to something; to run against something. (This has nothing to do with running.) Your proposal runs counter to what is required by the manager. His idea runs counter to good sense.

See also: run

under the counter

Fig. [bought or sold] in secret or illegally. (Compare this to over the counter.) The drugstore owner was arrested for selling liquor under the counter. The clerk sold dirty books under the counter.

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a bargaining chip  (British, American & Australian) also a bargaining counter (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.

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