down for the count

1. 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

Orange County firefighters came to the rescue when a 20-year-old mule named Eli appeared down for the count.

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He connected with a combination in the eighth round, Foreman went down for the count, and Ali was, once again, the heavyweight champion.

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Amid President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s rapid consolidation of power, Democrats in Congress seem down for the count, progressive voters and advocacy groups say, struggling to pick their spots and fight back.

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“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.”

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

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