Don't count your chickens before they're hatched

Definitions

• don't make assumptions or predictions about something before it has actually happened or been achieved
  Caution someone to not get ahead of themselves and to wait until a situation has fully played out before making any judgments or plans

• don't rely on something that has yet to be confirmed or secured
  Warn against depending on something that is not yet certain or guaranteed, as it may not come to fruition as expected

• don't take for granted or celebrate something that has not yet been achieved or obtained
  Remind someone to not celebrate or boast about something that is not a sure thing, as it may end up not happening as hoped

Examples of Don't count your chickens before they're hatched

• Sarah made a big announcement at the company meeting that they had secured a major new contract, but some of her colleagues were skeptical. They reminded her not to count her chickens before they're hatched, as the final negotiations had not yet been signed and there was still a chance the deal could fall through.

  This example illustrates how the idiom can be used to caution against jumping to conclusions or celebrating too soon. In Sarah's case, her colleagues were advising her not to assume that the contract was a done deal, as there were still important steps that needed to be taken before it could be considered a certainty. The phrase "counting your chickens" implies a premature sense of triumph, while "they're hatched" emphasizes that a project or opportunity is not truly realized until it has successfully come to fruition.

• Tom was excitedly planning a lavish vacation to Bali, but his wife warned him not to count his chickens before they're hatched. She explained that they had not yet saved enough money to cover all the expenses, and there was still a chance that unforeseen circumstances could arise that would force them to cancel or scale back their plans.

  This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to encourage caution and prudence, particularly in matters involving financial or logistical considerations. By advising Tom not to count his chickens, his wife was encouraging him to be realistic about the resources they had available and to avoid making hasty decisions or overcommitting their funds. The phrase "hatched" suggests that a project or opportunity is not truly complete until all the necessary steps have been taken to ensure its success.

• Emma was thrilled to have been selected as the keynote speaker at a major industry conference, but she was wary of counting her chickens before they're hatched. She had heard rumors that another high-profile speaker might be invited at the last minute, which could potentially overshadow her presentation.

  This example illustrates how the idiom can be used to encourage humility and caution in the face of uncertainty. By reminding Emma to avoid being overconfident, her advisors were helping her to stay focused on the realities of the situation and to prepare for all possible scenarios. The phrase "counting your chickens" suggests that a person should be careful not to become overly invested in an outcome that may be subject to change, while "they're hatched" emphasizes that a successful event or presentation is not truly complete until all the necessary elements have been assembled and presented in a cohesive and effective manner.

• Michael was feeling optimistic about his chances of landing a new job, but his friend gave him a word of caution: "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched." She explained that while Michael's resume and qualifications looked strong, he still needed to go through several rounds of interviews and background checks before the offer could be considered a done deal.

  This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to encourage realism and caution in the context of professional or career opportunities. By reminding Michael to avoid getting overly enthusiastic too soon, his friend was helping him to stay focused on the realities of the job search process and to avoid becoming too attached to any one opportunity before it had been fully vetted and confirmed. The phrase "counting your chickens" suggests that a person should be careful not to become overly invested in an outcome that may be subject to change, while "they're hatched" emphasizes that a successful job offer is not truly complete until all the necessary steps have been taken and the candidate has been formally notified and accepted the position.

Conclusion

This idiom is often used to advise someone to not get overly confident or optimistic about a situation before it has been fully realized. It serves as a reminder to not get ahead of oneself and to not take anything for granted. It can also be used to caution against relying on something that is not yet certain.

The idiom is usually used in a figurative sense, but it can also be used literally. For example, someone might use it to remind a farmer not to count their eggs as profit before they have hatched and actually been sold. Overall, the main intention behind this idiom is to urge caution and patience before jumping to conclusions or making assumptions.

Origin of "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to Aesop's fable "The Milkmaid and Her Pail". In the fable, a milkmaid is carrying a pail of milk on her head and starts daydreaming about the wealth she will have once she sells the milk and buys a new dress. In her excitement, she starts to count her chickens before they are hatched, and ends up spilling the milk and losing her anticipated riches.

The first recorded use of the phrase in its current form was in the book "The Hystorie of Hamblet" by Thomas Nashe in 1603. The idiom gained popularity in the 19th century and has remained a common saying ever since.

This idiom serves as a reminder to not get ahead of oneself and to remain grounded in reality. It highlights the danger of relying on assumptions and predictions, as they may not always come true.