Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch
Meaning: Don’t count on a good result before it actually happens.
“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch” means don’t celebrate or make plans based on something good that hasn’t happened yet. After all, not every egg hatches! The saying has been in English since at least 1570. For example: “I think I got the job!” “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch—wait until they call you.” People often shorten it to “Don’t count your chickens.”
How to use it
People say it as a friendly warning when someone is celebrating or spending too early: before a job offer is signed, a deal closes or a game ends. It’s often shortened to “Don’t count your chickens.” It sounds a little old-fashioned but is still very common, and it isn’t rude.
Examples
- The interview went well, but I won’t count my chickens until I get the offer.
- We’re up by ten points, but let’s not count our chickens yet.
- Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. The contract isn’t signed.
A common mistake
Change the pronoun to fit the person: I won’t count my chickens, let’s not count our chickens. And keep “hatch” in the present: “before they hatch,” not “before they hatched.”
Say it out loud
Tabbi Daily gives you one short lesson like this every day. Listen, record yourself and hear how you sound. Free, no account needed.
Source: Grammar Monster