not count your chickens
don't count your chickens
Don't make plans based on future events, outcomes, or successes that might not come to pass. A shortened form of "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched." When my mom heard that I was preparing my campaign before even being nominated, she warned me, "Don't count your chickens." Why are you begging to drive my car to school tomorrow when you still need to take your license test in the morning? Don't count your chickens, babe!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
not count your chickens
ornot count your chickens before they are hatched
If you say that you are not counting your chickens (before they are hatched), you mean that you are not making plans for the future yet because you do not know for certain how a particular situation will develop. If we get through to the next stage, we'll be competing against some top-class sides so I'm not counting my chickens. When dealing with important financial arrangements, never count your chickens before they are hatched. Note: You can also use the proverb don't count your chickens before they're hatched from which this expression comes. The contract is not signed yet. Don't count your chickens before they're hatched.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
not count your ˈchickens (before they’re ˈhatched)
not be too confident of success until it actually happens: She said she was certain to be offered a part in the play, but I told her not to count her chickens, as a lot of other people wanted the same part.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017