be down for the count
be down for the count
1. To be totally defeated, ruined, or overcome. Likened to a boxer who has been knocked to the mat and cannot stand before the referee counts to 10, thus losing the match. Their company is so debt-ridden that I think it's safe to say they're down for the count at this stage. With the final votes tallied, the senator's hopes for re-election are down for the count.
2. To be unconscious or in a deep, insensible sleep. Likened to a boxer who has been knocked out. I didn't even hear you come in last night. I was so tired that I was down for the count as soon as my head hit the pillow. On his 21st birthday, Mike's friends gave him so much to drink that he was down for the count by 10 PM.
See also: count, down
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- be out for the count
- beat the stuffing out of (someone)
- boarding house reach
- boardinghouse reach
- Christmas tree bill
- get (one's) rocks off on (something)
- as though
- a Monday morning quarterback
- brand new
- shine through