down for the count

Idioms and Phrases

Defeated, finished, doomed, as in I doubt if he'll ever leave the hospital; his illness really has him down for the count . This expression alludes to the losing boxer, unable to get to his feet before the umpire has counted to ten ( the count ). [1920s]

Example Sentences

“It’s something I grew up with, so I enjoy it. I hadn’t had a chance to do it this winter. I had my shoulder operated on in November and that’s kind of had me down for the count. I look forward snowboarding again, whenever I can.”

From Los Angeles Times

Concern grew that the fabulous invalid, as the theater has long been dubbed, might be down for the count.

From Los Angeles Times

They, along with an American electorate that is proving again and again that it supports abortion’s legality, have resoundingly responded to the Supreme Court by saying, as one provider in an embattled state put it to us, “we’re definitely not down for the count.”

From Slate

“I know I’m going to be down for the count for about a month, and that’s going to bother the hell out of me,” she said, impatient with the very prospect of having to take recovery time.

From Los Angeles Times

It turned out he wasn’t quite down for the count.

From Washington Times