"counter the idea" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to argue against a particular idea or theory. For example: "Despite what others have suggested, I would like to counter the idea that the economy will get worse over the next year."
One answer was to counter the idea that the bombings were justified under religious tenets.
Nothing has been done to counter the idea that he would increase ticket prices, as he did at Tampa.
But Deyes is determined to counter the idea that vloggers have an easy life and just got lucky.
In his interview, Mr Blair attempted to counter the idea that the peace process had been shelved.
These numbers should help counter the idea that the arts are "soft" options that compromise career options for students.
Corelli's performance in the 1962 "Tosca" will be seized on by devotees of this great tenor to counter the idea that he was just a shameless showoff.
"The posters are important in helping civilians to counter the ideas of Daesh," Mr Ramadan said.
In the early 1960s Jane Jacobs tried to counter the ideas of Howard and Le Corbusier through her deep observation of ordering systems in high-density neighbourhoods, ideas that would later be taken up by the New Urbanists, who reacted against both modernist planning and the sprawl of American suburbia.
TV critic Emily Nussbaum countered the idea that Wolf's jokes were focused on Sanders's appearance.
Nevertheless, the debate over the role of global warming in producing more powerful hurricanes continued as various studies were published that either supported or countered the idea.
Countering the idea that Hollywood today is overwhelmingly liberal, the outspokenly liberal actor Martin Sheen says the industry still produces "the most nationalistic films you've ever seen".
