count down

Say or show how much time remains before an event, usually using numbers that decrease.

• Count down from ten to zero.
• We counted down the final seconds before midnight.
• The timer is counting down to the rocket launch.

How to use it: count down from a number (Everyone counted down from ten.); count down to something (The clock counted down to midnight.)

Common phrases: count down seconds, count down something, count down aloud

Wait eagerly for an event, thinking about how many days or hours remain.

• I am counting down to my birthday.
• She counted down the weeks until she could see her family.
• Are you counting down the days until school finishes?

How to use it: count down the days until… (I am counting down the days until my holiday.); count down to something (They are counting down to their wedding.)

Similar words: look forward to, eagerly await

Common phrases: count down days, count down weeks, count down eagerly