2007-07-04 19:48:11 · 6 answers · asked by avril 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
When you are upset, you "count to ten" to calm you down. This will prevent you from impulsively, recklessly doing anything you will regret having done later.
2007-07-04 19:55:52 · answer #1 · answered by boyplakwatsa.com 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is not an idiom, it is a literal phrase. If you are upset and take the time to count to ten, you will calm down enough to give a balanced response.
Sometimes Catholics say the Our Father (an entire prayer) for the same purpose.
But it's meant literally.
2007-07-05 03:03:47 · answer #2 · answered by Mandaladreamer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it is not an idiom. It is to be taken literally well almost literally. As the person above me said, it is a common expression used to tell someone to stay calm before he or she flies off the handle. Now that is an idiom. You can't fly off a handle. That means you get so angry you have no control over what you say or do.
2007-07-05 03:01:48 · answer #3 · answered by Sicilian Godmother 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means calm down,relax,take time to mellow out.An idiom is a phrase that means something other than what is said basically-like kick the bucket-means to die-hang your head-means to be embarrassed or ashamed-into the grove-means you like something alot--that sort of thing.
2007-07-05 03:13:12 · answer #4 · answered by dymond 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you think that it's hard, next time try counting to 20 it's twice as hard.
2007-07-08 23:59:13 · answer #5 · answered by book writer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the goal of Harvard undergrads.
2007-07-05 03:31:01 · answer #6 · answered by MALIBU CANYON 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋