IDIOMS
World of sports
IN ENGLISH, THE BUSINESS WORLD DRAWS SIGNIFICANT INSPIRATION FROM THE WORLD OF SPORTS, WHICH IS REFLECTED IN MANY COMMONLY USED EXPRESSIONS. WE HAVE COMPILED A LIST OF OVER 130 SUCH EXPRESSIONS, COMPLETE WITH EXPLANATIONS AND EXAMPLES.
OUT FOR THE COUNT.
This expression is used when a person, an organization, or an initiative can no longer continue. This may happen because they have run out of resources, encountered insurmountable obstacles, or are simply too exhausted to keep going.
The expression comes from the world of sports, more specifically boxing, where a referee counts to ten after a fighter has been knocked down. If the fighter cannot get back up before the count is over, they lose the fight and are considered 'out for the count'.
Examples of use in a business context:
After eight difficult months of declining sales, the company ran out of cash and was finally out for the count.
I gave my sales team a few days off after the product launch. Everyone was completely out for the count.
These new regulations could leave many small businesses out for the count because the financial burden is simply too high.