count to ten

count to ten  {v. phr.},  {informal}

To count from one to ten so you will have time to calm down or get control of yourself; put off action when angry or excited so as not to do anything wrong.

Father always told us to count to ten before doing anything when we got angry.

Compare: KEEP ONE'S HEAD.

Contrast: BLOW A FUSE, FLY OFF THE HANDLE.