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AI for Breakfast
Post 123 - It’s the weekend - Idiom of the day
Don't count your chickens before they hatch
Figurative meaning
"Don't count your chickens before they hatch" means that one should not assume the outcome of something before it actually happens. It cautions against making plans or getting excited about something that has not yet materialised.
Typical usage
This idiom is often used to advise someone to be patient and wait for results before making decisions or plans based on anticipated outcomes. For example, if someone is planning how to spend a bonus at work before it's officially announced, a colleague might say, "Don't count your chickens before they hatch."
Origin
The origin of this proverb can be traced back to Aesop's fables. Aesop was an ancient Greek storyteller, and one of his fables, "The Milkmaid and Her Pail," conveys a similar message. In the story, a milkmaid carries a pail of milk on her head and daydreams about selling the milk, buying chickens with the money, and eventually becoming wealthy. She gets so caught up in her dreams that she accidentally spills the milk, losing her chance to achieve any of her plans. The moral of the story is not to count on things that haven't happened yet.
The idiom has been in use in the English language since at least the 16th century, reflecting a universal piece of wisdom that has remained relevant over the centuries.
