count out
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count out
1. To exclude someone from something, often at their own request. A noun or pronoun can be used between "count" and "out." I don't think this ridiculous plan will work, so count me out.
2. To dismiss something or someone. A noun or pronoun can be used between "count" and "out." After our dreadful start to the season, a lot of pundits counted us out. Don't count out our dream of buying this home just yet—we still have time to make a counteroffer.
3. To enumerate something one piece or part at a time. A noun or pronoun can be used between "count" and "out." The cashier counted out my change and handed it to me.
4. To count audibly to determine if a boxer has been knocked out (is not able to get up before the end of the countdown is reached). A noun or pronoun can be used between "count" and "out." After the boxer collapsed to the mat, the referee counted him out and ended the bout.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
count someone out (for something)
to exclude someone from something. Please count me out for the party next Saturday. I have other plans. You should count the whole family out. We are going to the beach for the weekend.
count something out
1. to disregard something; to eliminate a possibility. We'll have to count out the possibility of his being elected. Never count it out. It can always happen.
2. to give out things, counting them one by one. She counted the cookies out, one by one. She counted out the cookies to each child.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
count out
1. Declare a boxer (or other contestant) to have lost, as in Paul was counted out in the first round. This term alludes to count in the sense of "ten seconds," the time allowed for a boxer to rise after being knocked down (if he does not rise in time, he is "out"). The earliest recorded use of the term was for a cockfight in 1808; its use for boxing came about a century later. Also see down for the count.
2. Exclude, leave out of consideration, as in As for skiing this winter, you'll have to count me out. [Colloquial; mid-1800s] Also see count in.
3. Apportion; also, recalculate. For example, They counted out four pieces of music for each band member, or When Peggy got her change she counted out all the pennies. [Mid-1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
count out
v.
1. To enumerate a quantity of something unit by unit: The clerk counted out 12 roses and wrapped them in paper. I counted $5.38 out and handed it to the cashier.
2. To exclude someone from a group or activity: You can count me out if you plan to go swimming in this weather.
3. To eliminate something or someone as a possibility; disregard something or someone: I wouldn't count them out after that comeback last year. Don't count out the older competitors—they're the ones with experience.
4. To declare some boxer to have been knocked out by counting out loud the number of seconds by which the boxer must resume fighting: The boxer fell to the mat, and the ref counted him out to end the fight.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.