Prevention is better than cure

Meaning

The idiom "prevention is better than cure" means that it's better to take steps to prevent something from happening rather than waiting for a problem to arise and then trying to fix it after the fact. It emphasizes the importance of proactive measures and suggests that taking precautions can save time, money, and resources in the long run.

Usage

• "It's better to clean your car regularly than wait until it breaks down and you have to spend a lot of money on repairs."
• "I prefer to eat healthy and exercise regularly rather than having to deal with health issues later on."
• "It's important to take care of your teeth now rather than waiting for cavities to form and then needing costly dental procedures."
• "Procrastination can be expensive, especially when it comes to completing tasks before deadlines."
• "I would rather spend a few hours studying for an exam than have to redo the whole thing after failing it."

Roots and History

The idiom has been used in English since at least the 16th century. It appears in print as early as 1570 in a collection of proverbs by John Heywood. The phrase is thought to have originated from medical practices where doctors would prefer to prevent illness rather than cure it. The idiom has remained popular throughout history and has been used in various contexts, including personal health, business, and politics.

Synonyms in English

• "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
• "Prevention is the best medicine."
• "It's better to be safe than sorry."
• "Act now before it's too late."
• "Prevention is better than retribution."

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "La prévention est mieux que la guérison."
• Spanish: "El cumplimiento es mejor que el no cumplimiento."
• German: "Die Prävention ist besser als die Heilung."
• Italian: "La prevenzione è miglior della cura."
• Portuguese: "A prevenda é melhor que a cura."

Similar Idioms

• out of the frying pan into the fire

• time puts everything in its place

• charley horse