English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
A stitch in time saves nine
Meaning
The idiom "a stitch in time saves nine" means that it is better to address a problem or fix something when it first appears, rather than waiting until the situation has gotten worse and requires more effort to repair. The phrase uses the metaphor of mending a small tear with one stitch instead of having to sew up a larger hole with nine stitches.
Usage
- It's always wise to fix a leaky faucet as soon as you notice it, before it becomes a major plumbing problem that requires extensive repairs.
- Don't wait until your car breaks down completely; get it checked and maintained regularly to avoid expensive repairs in the future.
- If you address small issues in your relationship early on, it can prevent bigger problems from arising later on.
- Addressing a problem when it first appears is more efficient than waiting for it to become unmanageable.
- It's always better to catch problems early and fix them before they become more difficult to address. The usage of this idiom can vary depending on the context, but its general meaning remains consistent across different situations.
Roots and History
The origin of the phrase "a stitch in time saves nine" is uncertain, but it has been used in English since at least the early 19th century. One theory suggests that it comes from the practice of sewing up small holes with one or two stitches instead of waiting until the tear was so large that nine stitches were needed. Another theory suggests that it originated from the idea of fixing a problem when it first appeared, rather than waiting until it had gotten worse and required more effort to repair.
Synonyms in English
- Prevention is better than cure.
- An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
- A penny saved is a penny earned.
- Acting now saves trouble later.
- Taking care of business early on pays off in the end.
Synonyms in other languages
- En español: "Prevenir es mejor que curar".
- En francés: "Un souffle d'avance est mieux qu'un souffle de dérangement".
- En japonais: "一期一会をおいてみてもいいか？".
- En italiano: "Prevenire è meglio che curare".
- En português: "Prevencion é melhor que curacao".