|
|
|
|
Have you studied this idiom yet?
Can you use it correctly? Learn about this idiom below. At Winfield College we help you to speak everyday English the way native speakers do! We concentrate on all areas of the language, including: |
| Conversation: | Everyday English about current events... |
| Listening: | Listen to radio news, natural conversations... |
| Pronunciation: | Learn to speak English clearly so everyone understands... |
| Reading: | Newspapers, magazines, books - start reading everyday! |
| Vocabulary: | The bigger the better! Learn and use new words today. |
| Grammar: | Make sure that you're speaking properly. |
The idiom "Don't count your chickens until they are hatched!" is used to
advise or warn someone not to make plans prematurely. Imagine this situation. You have one chicken. The chicken lays nine eggs. You may start to think "Soon the eggs will hatch and I will have one big chicken and nine baby chickens. I will have 10 chickens! I can sell each chicken for $10. I will have $100. I am going to go out and spend some money right now. " It would be unwise to make plans for this $100 right away though. It is possible that some of the eggs might not hatch. This would leave you with fewer chickens and less money than you had planned on. You could be in a difficult situation. It would be better to wait until the eggs actually hatch and you have sold the chickens before spending any money. Look at the use of this idiom in the following dialogue. Two friends, Dave and Paul, are talking over coffee. Dave has some great news and some big plans. Dave: Guess what! My boss just told me that I might get a promotion and a big raise. Paul: That's great news. Dave: It sure is. Now I can go out and get that new sports car I have always wanted. I'm going to buy it today. Oh, and you know that expensive penthouse apartment I told you about. I'm going to move in right away. And that fur coat my girlfriend wanted.... Paul: Whoa! Wait a minute! Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. You should wait until you actually get the promotion before you go spending all that money. |
|
Close Window Top of Page Our e-mail address for information is Info@WinfieldCollege.com Register Now / Info Request / Contact Info / Winfield Home |