count to ten

count to ten

To take a moment to calm down, especially when angry, before doing anything rash or hasty. Used as an imperative, it can but doesn't necessarily mean to literally count to the number ten. I know your boss said some unfair things about you, but just go count to ten so you don't end up saying something that gets you fired.
See also: count, ten
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

count to ten

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.
See also: count, ten
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

count to ten

count to ten under your breath in order to prevent yourself from reacting angrily to something.
See also: count, ten
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • keep at
  • keep at (someone or something)
  • break it up
  • Break it up!
  • break up
  • toss together
  • skip out with
  • skip out with (someone or something)
  • rush (something) into print
  • rush into print
References in periodicals archive
"He then said he would count to ten and then he was going to smash our faces in, but he literally counted to five and ran off.
He shared that his mother, the late Benazir Bhutto, gave him lots of guidance but one instruction he tries to abide by is that one should never react to anger and count to ten before they do.
TOTAL FOOTBALL EVERY SATURDAY The seven-year-old cosily opened his account over 2m 4f TURN TO PAGE TWO WINDSOR'S PREMIER LEAGUE Avenue has an Ell of a chance at Kelso Charlie Mulgrew on the half-time team-talk that saved Lennon's career and launched Celtic's quest for ten-in-a-row COUNT TO TEN DUNCAN CASTLES ROBBIE SAVAGE The Transfer window Football's Mr MarmiteSorry Bhoys but BRENDAN PAGE 2&3 INSIDE the breakdown of Rodgers' and Dembele's relationship PAGE 8 has done the right thing going back to England PAGE 6 2 GREAT PULLOUTS
"When you are mad, it helps if you count to ten slowly.
"After this operation, smugglers will count to ten before doing it again, considering that the loss is estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars," he added.
Strictly's favourite villian Craig Revel Horwood is both director and choreographer and when you've got tunes from Dusty in there (I Close My Eyes and Count to Ten is a particular favourite, please let that be in there...) then this is never going to be an evening wasted.
In Japanese the children learnt basic greetings, how to count to ten and made a booklet using Japanese pens.
1 Robot Lost His Head is a very simple book designed to help children ages two to five learn to count to ten. When one robot loses his head, the head is cared for by other robots until it is reunited with its body.
In a rage, the farmer begins to count to ten before beating Jackson with a stick--but donkeys can't count.
Close your eyes and count to ten. JP is ready to slice it open.
count to ten in the neighboring language, read all the words in your
Berries stuck on fingertips are fun to count to ten.
"I couldn't believe how well I was going two furlongs from home and the owner told my dad to tell me to count to ten before going for home.
Count to ten from A to Z, What''s not going on inside your head.