count to ten

Idioms  

1. Calm down, get hold of oneself. For example, Before you tell him what you think of him, count to ten. Often used as an imperative, this phrase in effect means that if one takes the time to count from one to ten one can regain one's composure.

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Example Sentences

I count to ten and make a run for it.

From Literature

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and count to ten, trying to get a handle on what I came here to ask her.

From Literature

Ella started to count to ten, but before she got to five, she heard the pitter-patter of tiny feet and spotted the big black noses of several rotties peeking their heads out from behind columns.

From Literature

“She taught him how to make Indian tea and how to count to ten in Telugu,” Ms. Naini said.

From New York Times

“It’s not fair. You didn’t count to ten,” Mr. Muse said, laughing and turning red like a tomato.

From Literature