Down for the count

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual
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Meaning: Defeated; unable to continue.

被击败,无法继续。
Derrotado; incapaz de continuar.
打ちのめされた、続行不能。
완전히 패배한, 계속할 수 없는

From boxing—when knocked down, the referee counts to ten. If you're 'down for the count,' you can't get up in time.

源自拳击——被击倒后裁判数到十。'down for the count'意味着无法及时站起来。
Del boxeo—cuando te derriban, el árbitro cuenta hasta diez. Si estás 'down for the count', no puedes levantarte a tiempo.
ボクシング由来の表現。ダウンするとレフェリーが10まで数える。「down for the count」は時間内に立ち上がれないこと。
권투에서 유래—넉다운되면 심판이 10까지 카운트한다. 'Down for the count'는 시간 내에 일어나지 못하는 것을 의미한다.

Literal meaning: Knocked down during referee's count

Examples

  1. After that meeting, I was down for the count.
    那次会议后,我彻底被打垮了
    Después de esa reunión, estaba fuera de combate
    あの会議の後、完全にやられた
    그 회의가 끝나고 나는 완전히 녹초가 되었다.
  2. The competition had us down for the count.
    竞争让我们处于劣势
    La competencia nos tenía contra las cuerdas
    競争に打ちのめされた
    경쟁에서 완전히 밀렸다.
  3. He looked down for the count, but rallied.
    他看起来要输了,但又重新振作起来
    Parecía derrotado, pero se recuperó
    彼は負けたように見えたが、立ち直った
    그는 패배한 것처럼 보였지만, 다시 일어섰다.

Pronunciation

/daʊn fɔː ðə kaʊnt/

Usage Guide

Context: defeat, exhaustion, failure

Tone: dramatic, final

✓ Do Say

  • Down for the count.
    被打倒了
    Fuera de combate
    ノックアウトされた
    완전히 쓰러졌어
  • Looked down for the count.
    看起来已经败了
    Parecía fuera de combate
    完全にやられたように見えた
    완전히 당한 것 같았어
  • Not down for the count yet.
    还没有认输
    Aún no está fuera de combate
    まだ諦めていない
    아직 포기 안 했어

✗ Don't Say

  • Defeated
    Defeated(被打败)
    Defeated(derrotado)
    Defeated(負けた)
    Defeated(패배한)
  • Knocked out
    Knocked out(被击倒)
    Knocked out(noqueado)
    Knocked out(ノックアウト)
    Knocked out(넉아웃된)

Common Mistakes

Origin & History

From boxing—the ten-count after a knockdown.

Etymology: Boxing slang, early 20th century

First recorded: Early 1900s

Cultural Context

Era: Early 20th century to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Boxing; Rocky movies

Regional notes: Universal English boxing metaphor.

Variations

Down for the countOut for the countDown and out

Related Phrases

More From This Topic

Kick off ★★★★★ To start something; also to become angry (British). Throw in the towel ★★★★★ To give up or admit defeat. Touch base ★★★★★ To make brief contact with someone. Game plan ★★★★★ A strategy or plan of action. Par for the course ★★★★★ Normal or expected; typical for the situation. Front runner ★★★★★ The leading candidate or competitor.
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