Meaning of take the count | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To be knocked out.
2. To take to opportunity to rest briefly after being knocked down but before being counted out by the referee.
3. To lose or fail.
   idiomatic

Examples

“Apparently ignorant of the rules of the ring⟳ which permit⟳ a fighter knocked to the floor to take⟳ the count⟳ of nine, he staggered to his feet, only to be met with another blow⟳ before he could collect⟳ his senses sufficiently to 'cover⟳?'”

“But if a boxer is knocked down, he can always take⟳ an 'eight' count⟳ and not get⟳ up after two or three seconds. Those extra five or six seconds give⟳ you a chance to clear your head. To try⟳ to gather your reflexes, come⟳ to yourself. A friend of mine, Ruby Kessler in Ebbets Field, we fought in the same show⟳ that night. And Pete Scanlon dropped 'im. And Ruby jumped right up, and he was shakin' and they were hollerin' from the corner, 'Get⟳ down, get⟳ down, take⟳ the count⟳, take⟳ the count⟳.'”

“He led his men with great dash and when hit the first time declined to take⟳ the count⟳. Instead, he drew his revolver and called for further effort. Again he was hit,but struggled on, but a third shot finally bowled him over.”

CEFR level