Look before you leap

Meaning

The idiom "look before you leap" is a piece of advice that means one should carefully consider the potential consequences or risks of an action before deciding to take it. It encourages caution and delay, rather than rushing into something without fully understanding the implications.

Usage

• Before making any major decisions about your career, it's important to look before you leap and explore all possible options.
• She always likes to look before she leaps into a new relationship, ensuring that it's compatible with her values and lifestyle.
• With the stock market being so volatile, it's wise to look before you leap and carefully analyze the risks before making any investment decisions.
• When planning a trip, it's important to look before you leap and make sure you have all the necessary information and documents.
• Before starting any new project at work, take the time to look before you leap and gather all the information you need to ensure its success.

Roots and History

The idiom "look before you leap" has been in use for centuries. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Greece, where it was first recorded in the works of Aesop. The phrase was used as a cautionary tale about the dangers of impulsive decision-making. Over time, the idiom has evolved to become a piece of advice that encourages careful consideration and delay before making any decisions.

Synonyms in English

• Wait and see
• Delay action
• Consider all options carefully
• Hold off until more information is available
• Think twice before acting

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: Reconsiderar la acción
• French: Reconsidérer l'action
• German: Nachdenken lassen
• Italian: Considerare le azioni
• Japanese: 考える These synonyms convey the same meaning of taking time to think and evaluate a situation before making a decision, but in different languages and cultural contexts.

Similar Idioms

• the best is yet to come

• nowhere near

• just deserts