take the long count
1. dated To lose a boxing match by being counted out. Everyone was shocked when the heavyweight champion took the long count in the second round, raising suspicions that he had thrown the fight.
2. dated To lose or fail; to be knocked out of competition. It's just another in a long line of businesses to take the long count ever since the economy started to crash. A lot of people expected them to take the long count after the first round of the tournament, but here they are, one win away from a shot at the championship.
take the (long) count
Sl. to die. (Fig. on a boxer being counted out and losing a fight.) The poor cat took the long count at last. I'm too young to take the count.
take the count
(of a boxer) be knocked out. take the count
1. To be defeated.
2. Sports To be counted out in boxing.