count off

1. Count aloud from one end of a line of persons to the other, each person counting in turn. For example, The soldiers counted off one by one . This usage and the practice it describes come from the military.

2. Place in a separate group by counting, as in The office counted off the telephone books for each delivery route .

Example Sentences

“He was out-maneuvered and he was gunned down,” prosecutor Cynthia Banks said, counting off the five gunshots that wounded him, including three to his back.

From Seattle Times

In the game against the Lakers on Friday, Russell Westbrook counted off 10 seconds as well — not silently, and got the violation called.

From Seattle Times

Two girls drawing a clock in chalk on the schoolyard pavement counted off one, two, three in Manx: nane, jees, tree.

From New York Times

Blackborrow peeled a page from the calendar in the wardroom every morning, counting off the days.

From Literature

“The Railroad fire, the Junction fire,” said Rebecca Casey, who runs recreational activities, counting off the reasons on her fingers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• estimate
• include
• tally
• total