PhrasesHub

Down for the count

    Definitions

      • defeated or unable to continue
        To indicate that someone or something has been knocked out or incapacitated, often in a figurative sense

      • unable to recover or bounce back
        To convey that a person or thing is unlikely to recover or make a comeback from a difficult situation or setback

    Examples of Down for the count

    • The boxer's knees buckled as the referee counted to ten. He was down for the count, unable to beat the count and win the fight.

      The idiom "down for the count" is used to describe someone who is defeated or knocked out, literally in a boxing match, but figuratively in any situation where someone is severely weakened or defeated. In this example, the boxer has been knocked down and cannot get up before the referee counts to ten, signifying that he is out of the fight and has lost.

    • The company's profits has taken a beating lately, and it seems like they are down for the count.

      In this example, the idiom is used figuratively to describe a business that is in a state of financial hardship and may be near bankruptcy, much like a boxer who has been knocked down and is unable to get up. Just like a boxer in a similar predicament, the company may be unable to recover from its current situation.

    • The singer canceled her tour due to a chronic illness. She's been down for the count for weeks now.

      In this example, the idiom is used to describe someone who is experiencing a serious health issue and is unable to perform or engage in normal activities. The singer in this instance has been forced to cancel her tour due to illness, and has been unable to perform or tour for an extended period of time.

    • The stock market has been on a rollercoaster ride lately, and many investors are feeling down for the count.

      Here, the idiom is used to describe the state of investors' emotional and financial well-being in relation to the unpredictable and tumultuous nature of the stock market. The investors might have sustained significant losses, leaving them feeling discouraged and defeated, much like a boxer who has been knocked down in the ring.

    • The boxer's eyes rolled back in his head as he hit the canvas, clearly down for the count.

      This example is using the idiom in its most literal and traditional sense. It describes a boxer who has been knocked out and is lying flat on the floor, unable to continue the fight.

    • The rival team's chances of winning the game were down for the count after losing their star player to injury.

      This example is using the idiom in a figurative sense to describe a team's chances of winning as being very slim.

    • The company's stock value had taken a hit in recent years and was now down for the count.

      This example is using the idiom in a financial context to describe a stock that has lost a lot of value and is now considered a poor investment.

    • The politician's poll numbers had plummeted after a series of scandals and now she was down for the count.

      This example is using the idiom in a political context to describe a politician who has lost public support and is now considered unlikely to win an election.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "down for the count" is often used to describe someone or something that has been defeated or rendered unable to continue, whether in a physical or metaphorical sense. It can also convey a sense of being unable to recover or bounce back from a setback or difficult situation.

    Origin of "Down for the count"

    The origin of the idiom "down for the count" can be traced back to boxing, where a boxer who is knocked down by their opponent must stay down for a count of ten seconds, after which they are considered defeated. This term has since been adopted into everyday language to describe being incapacitated or unable to continue. The figurative use of the idiom to convey a sense of being unable to recover or bounce back likely stems from the idea of being knocked out and unable to get back up. Overall, the idiom "down for the count" has its roots in the world of sports, particularly boxing, and has evolved to be used in a variety of contexts to convey defeat or inability to continue.