Meaning: This idiom means that you should not assume something will happen or expect a positive outcome before it actually occurs. It cautions against being overly optimistic or making plans based on something that is uncertain.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “I know you’re excited about the job interview, but don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
- “She started planning the vacation as soon as she applied for the promotion, but her friends advised her not to count her chickens before they hatch.”
- “He was sure he’d win the competition and started spending the prize money in his mind. His coach reminded him not to count his chickens before they hatch.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “don’t count your chickens before they hatch” can be traced back to Aesop’s Fables, specifically the fable titled “The Milkmaid and Her Pail.” In the story, a milkmaid daydreams about what she will do with the money she will make from selling milk, assuming a series of events that ultimately lead to her becoming wealthy. However, she spills the milk, and all her plans come to nothing. The moral of the story is to not assume future success based on uncertain events. The idiom has been used in English since at least the 16th century and conveys the wisdom of not taking future outcomes for granted until they are certain.
