ne pas compter ses poules avant qu'elles aient éclos

/nə pa kɔ̃te se pul avɑ̃ k‿ɛl ɛtɛklo/◆proverb
don't count your chickens before they hatch

Il ne faut pas compter ses poules avant qu'elles aient éclos.

You shouldn't count your chickens before they hatch.

◆ What It Really Means
A warning against being overconfident about future success before it is certain.
Literal Meaning
Do not count your hens before they have hatched.
Literal Breakdown
ne pasnot+compterto count+ses pouleshis/her hens+avant qu'elles aient éclosbefore they have hatched
◇ Mental Image
The image of counting unhatched eggs as if they were already chickens, emphasizing the uncertainty of future events.
◈ When to Use
A business partner is celebrating a potential deal before it is finalized, and you remind them not to count their chickens before they hatch.
◉ Cultural Note
This proverb is widely used in French culture to encourage caution and realism in planning and decision-making.
informal

To avoid assuming success before it is certain, as it may not happen.

Ne compte pas tes poules avant qu'elles aient éclos, car le projet pourrait échouer.

Don't count your chickens before they hatch, as the project might fail.

This proverb warns against being overconfident about future success.

Related Phrases

ne pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tuéproverb
don't sell the bear's skin before you've caught the bear

Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use this proverb when someone is being overly optimistic about an uncertain outcome.

Word Origin

The proverb originates from the idea that one should not count unhatched eggs as if they were already chickens, as they might not hatch. It emphasizes the importance of caution and realism in planning.

Usage Notes

This proverb is commonly used to advise against premature celebration or overconfidence in uncertain situations.

Dictionnaire Français-Anglais