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behind-the-counter
In a pharmacy, not requiring a prescription but requiring a pharmacist's discretion to purchase, as of drugs or medical devices. Please be aware that all behind-the-counter purchases require identification so the pharmacist can verify your age before purchase.
rivet counter
Someone who demands an exceptionally or unreasonably high level of minute detail or accuracy in something. Used especially in reference to hobbyists, particularly in the field of model train building. I might be considered a rivet counter by others, but I'm particularly proud of the level of detail that goes into my model sets. I can't stand seeing movies with a rivet counter like Jerry. After every film, he just sits there listing all the factual inaccuracies in it rather than just enjoying the darn thing!
another lie nailed to the counter
A lie and/or fraud has been discovered and now is used as a warning to the public. The phrase possibly originated with US general store owners, who would nail counterfeit coins to their counters to ward off other counterfeiters. I can't believe I caught you in the act in front of all of my friends! Wow, another lie nailed to the counter! Oh, and he was cheating on me too. You all should consider this another lie nailed to the counter.
bargaining counter
Something used during a negotiation that provides one party leverage over another party. Primarily heard in UK. Joe's willingness to walk away from the deal proved to be an effective bargaining counter when it came to purchasing a new car.
bean counter
A derogatory term used to describe someone who obsesses over trivial and insignificant expenditures in an attempt to save money. As soon as the staff learned they had to purchase their own office supplies, they knew it was a result of the finance department's new bean counter tightening the company's purse strings.
counter someone or something with something
to refute someone or something with something. She countered our evidence with an eyewitness. I countered Nancy with a better argument.
counter with something
to say something in refutation of something; to strike back with something. Aren't you going to counter with an argument? He countered with a punch in the jaw.
over the counter
Fig. [of medication bought or sold] without a prescription. (Hyphenated when prenominal. See also under the counter.) This is a good product. You can buy it over the counter. I don't put much trust in over-the-counter medications.
run counter to something
to be in opposition to something; to run against something. (This has nothing to do with running.) Your proposal runs counter to what is required by the manager. His idea runs counter to good sense.
under the counter
Fig. [bought or sold] in secret or illegally. (Compare this to over the counter.) The drugstore owner was arrested for selling liquor under the counter. The clerk sold dirty books under the counter.
run counter to something
to be the opposite of something The article presents facts that run counter to what many of us believed had happened.
a bargaining chip
(British, American & Australian) also a bargaining counter (British) something that you can use to make someone do what you want The workers' strongest bargaining chip in the negotiations is the threat of strike action. Hostages were used as a bargaining counter during the seige.
a bean counter
(informal) an impolite way of describing someone who is responsible for the financial decisions within a company When decisions that affect people's lives are in the hands of bean counters, it's bad news.
over the counter
if a type of medicine is available over the counter, you can buy it without the permission of a doctor You can't buy antibiotics over the counter - they're a prescription drug.
under the counter
if something is bought or sold under the counter it is bought or sold secretly or in a way that is not legal Many of his books are banned and only available under the counter.
run counter to
Be in conflict with, oppose, as in Practice often runs counter to theory. This idiom, first recorded in 1843, uses counter in the sense of "in an opposite direction."
under the counter
Secretly, surreptitiously, as in
I'm sure they're selling liquor to minors under the counter. This expression most often alludes to an illegal transaction, the
counter being the flat-surfaced furnishing or table
over which legal business is conducted. It was first recorded in 1926. Also see
under the table.
bean-counter
n. a statistician; an accountant. When the bean-counters get finished with the numbers, you won’t recognize them.
comma-counter
n. a pedantic person; a pedantic copy editor. When you need a proofreader, you need a comma-counter.
over the counter
1. Without being listed or available on an officially recognized stock exchange but in trade by direct negotiation between buyers and sellers: bought stocks over the counter.
2. Without a doctor's prescription being legally required: cold medicine that is available over the counter.
under the counter
In an illegal or surreptitious manner; illicitly: arrested for selling prescription drugs under the counter.