He counted slowly to ten under his breath.

Meaning: He said the numbers from one to ten quietly to himself.

Choice of Words: Counted means to say or write numbers in order. Slowly means at a low speed or pace. Under his breath means speaking softly or quietly.

Alternative Expressions

He counted to ten at a snail's pace.

Meaning: This means that he was saying the numbers one to ten very slowly, like a snail moves.

Choice of Words: Counted means to determine the number or amount of something. Ten is the number that comes after nine. Snail's pace means very slowly.

He whispered the numbers one to ten to himself.

Meaning: This means that he was saying the numbers one to ten in a very soft voice, so that only he could hear.

Choice of Words: Whispered means to speak very softly. Numbers are the symbols we use to represent quantities. One to ten are the first ten numbers. To himself means that he was speaking only to himself, not to anyone else.

Related Expressions