not count your chickens

don't count your chickens

Don't make plans based on future events that might not happen. 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!

not count your chickens

not 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.

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.