SSC Stenographer 2025 PYQ — Question 159

SSC Stenographer - 07 Aug 2025 - Shift 2 • English • Q159

What is the meaning of the proverb

"Don't count your chickens before they hatch"?

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The proverb "Don't count your chickens before they hatch" is a cautionary piece of advice. It warns against assuming that something will succeed or turn out as planned when the outcome is still uncertain.

Meaning: You shouldn't make plans based on a future event that may not occur.

Origin: This idiom dates back centuries and is famously associated with Aesop's Fables, specifically the story of "The Milkmaid and Her Pail," where a woman dreams of all the things she will buy with the money from her milk, only to spill the milk before she can sell it.

Example: I know you think you've won the lottery, but don't count your chickens before they hatch—the official results haven't been announced yet.