count noses

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

Perhaps the phrase "to count noses" originated in these lands.

From Project Gutenberg

Hold your horses, Buster, and count noses; perhaps youll find that there are only five of us present.

From Project Gutenberg

Some of the older ranchmen suggested to Packard and to Fisher that they count noses.

From Project Gutenberg

When he came to count noses he understood that there wasn't a show for him to be elected cox.

From Project Gutenberg

We never thought to count noses until we reached the Cassidy place, and then we found they were missing.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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