What does the idiom "not count one\'s chickens before they\'re hatched" mean?
Idioms are generally defined as groups of words that form a meaningful whole when they come together, even though the words in them do not make sense on their own. They have produced many idioms according to their own cultural characteristics in communities using the English language. What does not count one\'s chickens before they\'re hatched mean? In what situations is not count one\'s chickens before they\'re hatched used?
Meaning of "not count one\'s chickens before they\'re hatched"
Meaning
The idiom “not to count one’s chickens before they’re hatched” means to not assume or expect something to happen before it actually happens. It is a warning against expecting or assuming that something will happen in the future without being sure of it, because it may end up not happening. The idiom is a suggestion to not jump ahead to plan for something that hasn’t happened yet, when the outcome is still uncertain.
Etymology
The phrase “not to count one’s chickens before they’re hatched” has been around since ancient times and is derived from an Aesop’s Fable. In the fable, a poor farmer has a bundle of eggs in his basket and he tells his friends that he will soon have hens, because the eggs are fated to hatch. His friends warn him not to count his chickens before they’ve hatched, suggesting that he not be too optimistic and assume the eggs will hatch just because they are fated to. The moral of the fable is that you should not assume something will happen until it actually happens.
Usage
The idiom “not to count one’s chickens before they’re hatched” is used to suggest caution when dealing with uncertain outcomes. It is a reminder that an event that has not yet happened may not actually happen, so it is important to wait until it happens before planning or counting on it. It is often used as a cautionary phrase to remind people to be more realistic and to not be too hopeful about future outcomes.
Example Sentences
- “I know you’re hoping for a promotion, but don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched”
- “I want to book a vacation for next week, but I’m not going to count my chickens before they’re hatched”
- “Don’t start investing in something before it happens, because you’re counting your chickens before they’re hatched”
- “You shouldn
The Global Spread of English Idioms
As English has become a global language, its idioms have spread far beyond the borders of the UK and USA. For instance, the idiom "beat around the bush" has equivalents in many other languages, such as "tourner autour du pot" in French and "dar vueltas al asunto" in Spanish. Meanwhile, other idioms have been adapted for local contexts, such as the Russian idiom "?? ???? ???????" (ne svoya rubashka), which translates to "not one's own shirt," meaning to be in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation.
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