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across the counter — Available for purchase without a prescription; sold directly to customers over the pharmacy or store counter

Part of speech: ADVERB

Definition: Available for purchase without a prescription; sold directly to customers over the pharmacy or store counter

Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈkrɔːs ðə ˈkaʊntər/

Example Sentences

  • My grandmother insists on buying vitamins across the counter because she doesn't trust online shopping.
  • The pharmacist explained which pain relievers are available across the counter.
  • He tried to convince the pharmacist to sell prescription drugs across the counter, which obviously didn't work.

across the counter

ADVERB

[/əˈkrɔːs ðə ˈkaʊntər/]

Available for purchase without a prescription; sold directly to customers over the pharmacy or store counter

She slid the warm latte across the counter with a quick smile.
💡 Concept

She slid the warm latte across the counter with a quick smile.

A warm encounter across the counter!
🎵 Rhyme

A warm encounter across the counter!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/əˈkrɔːs ðə ˈkaʊntər/
🇬🇧 UK/əˈkrɒs ðə ˈkaʊntə/

🌳Etymology

Origin

This phrase originates from the literal physical action in pharmacies and shops, where customers could obtain items directly from the counter without requiring a prescription. The expression evolved from the spatial relationship of goods being handed across the counter, contrasting with restricted items kept behind the counter that required professional authorization.

Breakdown

across (preposition meaning 'on or to the other side of') + the (definite article) + counter (noun, referring to the service desk or counter in a shop or pharmacy where transactions occur).

🎵Rhyme

counterencountermounter
counter
encounter
mounter

🔗Collocations

across the counter medication
buy across the counter
across the counter sales
available across the counter
across the counter drugs
sell across the counter

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My grandmother insists on buying vitamins across the counter because she doesn't trust online shopping.”

“The pharmacist explained which pain relievers are available across the counter.”

😄 Fun example

“He tried to convince the pharmacist to sell prescription drugs across the counter, which obviously didn't work.”

“Many countries have different regulations about what can be sold across the counter.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

over-the-counterOTCnon-prescriptionwithout prescription

Antonyms

prescription-onlybehind-the-counterprescription-required

Related

pharmacymedicationdrugstoreself-medicationhealthcare

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