Don't count your chickens before they hatch means don't celebrate or make plans around a success that hasn't happened yet. Literally, it's about not counting chicks before they come out of their eggs. In conversation, the first half is usually enough: Don't count your chickens. About yourself, people say I'm not counting my chickens, “I'm not getting my hopes up yet”: it's a modest way to share good news that might still fall through.
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don't count your chickens (before they hatch); I'm not counting my chickens (yet)
- The interview went well, but I'm not counting my chickens until they call me back.
- We might win the contract, but don't count your chickens before they hatch.
- Don't count your chickens — the landlord hasn't signed the agreement yet.
What changed
First versionDon't count your chickens before they will hatch.
RevisionDon't count your chickens before they hatch.
The hatching hasn't happened yet, so will seems natural after before. But after before, when and until, English uses the present tense even when talking about the future: before they hatch.
The proverb isn't only about hoping too early. It also covers sharing out a reward you don't have yet, such as spending money that hasn't arrived: We were already planning how to spend the bonus. — Don't count your chickens.
Your turn
The bank liked my business plan, but the loan isn't approved yet, so I'm not ___ my chickens.
Show the answer
counting — The proverb always uses count: you count chicks one by one. Calculate means to work something out with numbers and is never used in this phrase, even though it can look like a synonym.
Write how you'd calm down a friend who is celebrating too early. Say what they're expecting and what hasn't happened yet.
Don't count your chickens: you're expecting a pay rise, but your manager hasn't signed anything yet.
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