Count on it

To “count on” something is to assume that you’ll have it, or assume that it’s true. In today’s lesson, I sarcastically said that I didn’t know if Qatari jails were air-conditioned, but I wouldn’t count on it. That means, I wouldn’t assume it’s true: you should probably not assume that jails there are air-conditioned.

Will there be food at the meeting? I wouldn’t count on it, you might answer. If you’re going to a long meeting, it’s best not to assume there will be food. Don’t count on it: have lunch before you go.