What is the meaning of the phrase, “Don’t count your chickens…” ? - Subhajit, India
Answer
“Don’t count your chickens” is a shortened form of the expression, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
Both versions of this expression are used to advise someone not to make the mistake of assuming that the thing they are hoping for will definitely happen. According to this expression, it’s better to wait and see the actual results before getting excited and making plans, to avoid being disappointed.
“Don’t count your chickens (before they hatch)” uses the example of counting the eggs that chickens have laid and assuming that the number of eggs is equal to the number of healthy chicks you will have, as a metaphor for assuming the success of other hoped-for events that may or may not happen.
