count to ten

English

Alternative forms

• count to 10

Pronunciation

• Audio (US):

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• Rhymes: -ɛn

Verb

count to ten (third-person singular simple present counts to ten, present participle counting to ten, simple past and past participle counted to ten)

1. (informal, idiomatic) An expression used to describe or recommend a process for pausing to regain one's composure when one is on the verge of losing one's temper.
   • 1994 June 10, Kay Ewbank, “Computers: Confessions of a database designer”, in Independent, UK, retrieved 10 July 2015:

     There is a temptation at this point to jump up and down, shouting about how often you have asked about that point. Instead, count to ten.

   • 2001 June 24, John Cloud, “Of Arms And The Boy”, in Time, retrieved 10 July 2015:

     Bok believes that media violence undermines . . . psychological mechanisms that allow people to bounce back and to count to 10 before they lash out.

   • 2007 April 15, Gary Miller, “Letters to the Editor”, in New York Times, retrieved 10 July 2015:

     We need to step back, take a deep breath and count to ten.