down for the count


down for the count

1. Having been, or very near to being, defeated, ruined, or overcome. Likened to a boxer who has been knocked to the mat and cannot stand before the referee counts to 10, thus losing the match. Their company is so debt-ridden that I think it's safe to say they're down for the count at this stage. With the final votes tallied, the senator's hopes for re-election are down for the count.2. Unconscious or in a deep, insensible sleep. Likened to a boxer who has been knocked out. I didn't even hear you come in last night, I was so tired that I was down for the count as soon as my head hit the pillow. On his 21st birthday, Mike's friends gave him so much to drink that he was down for the count by 10 PM.See also: count, down

down for the count

Defeated, finished, doomed, as in I doubt if he'll ever leave the hospital; his illness really has him down for the count . This expression alludes to the losing boxer, unable to get to his feet before the umpire has counted to ten ( the count). [1920s] See also: count, down

down for the count

AMERICANIf someone or something is down for the count, they are failing. Note: The following expressions refer to a `count' in boxing. If a boxer is knocked to the ground and does not get up before the referee has counted to ten, they lose the contest. Both artists have recently recorded albums that show they're not down for the count yet. The market is not down for the count just yet.See also: count, down

down for the count

mod. inactive for the duration (of something). (From boxing.) I’ve got a terrible cold, and I think I’m down for the count. See also: count, down