taking the count
Down for good
Taking the count means being defeated or knocked out, from boxing where a downed fighter has ten seconds to rise before the referee completes the count.
Extended uses describe anyone who's been overwhelmed or is giving up: After three rejections, he was ready to take the count.
The phrase emphasizes accepting defeat rather than fighting on.
- knockoutIncapacitating final blow
- out coldFully unconscious
- surrenderCease resistance, yield
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- capitulationComplete yielding to demands
canvas · referee · bell · boxing ring · corner · despair · ring · downfall · acceptance · defeat · faltering · quitting · collapse · resignation · setback · shame · yielding · boxer
recovery vs. defeat
taking the countgetting back up
bouncing back · rising to the occasion · fighting back · persevering · soldiering on
take, taking, takes, taken, taker, takers, count, counts, counted