count noses

verb2

1. •
   To count people one at a time.

   • While I have never counted noses, it is utterly preposterous to estimate that 40 per cent of the total, or 383,658 Federal civil jobs, are held by Jews. — 1941
2. •
   To determine the number of supporters of a particular politician or issue.

   • Although Israel strongly opposes beefing up military aid to Egypt, the Israelis, as one reliable source puts it, "have counted noses in Congress and know they can't stop it." — 1980