count noses

Idioms  

1. Also, count heads. Reckon up the number of those present. For example, The theater seemed only half-full, so the producer decided to count noses, or Our tour leader was always careful to count heads before the bus started off. This idiom was originally put as tell noses. [Mid-1600s]

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Example Sentences

Like the Toronto researchers’ report, the new Portland chamber study uses cellphone data to count noses.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 3, 2023

“If you were just trying to count noses, I think you would think there are more votes to be skeptical of these programs now than ever before.”

From Washington Post • Oct. 29, 2022

"If you look at Nixon, and tried to count noses in terms of who was in favor of impeachment at the beginning, it would have been close to zero," Fein said.

From Fox News • Oct. 15, 2018

“I’d have to count noses to be sure,” he said.

From New York Times • May 24, 2013

He hadn’t remembered to count noses when he came down the gangplank, and didn’t notice, until the gangplank was pulled in, that Dan was missing.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Related Words

• calculate
• itemize
• recite
• specify
• spell out
• take account of