don't count your chicks
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Ellipsis of don't count your chicks before they're hatched.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
“I figure between fifteen and seventeen hours. She’s already coming out of rigor.” / Dina did a fast calculation. “So that would be somewhere between four and six p.m. yesterday.” / “Don’t count your chicks, Lieutenant. It’s not over ’til the fat lady sings.” / “I’m approximating. Cause?”
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “don't count your chicks” mean?
Ellipsis of don't count your chicks before they're hatched.
Is “don't count your chicks” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.