Don't put the cart before the horse

Definitions

• doing things out of order
  Advising someone to do things in the correct sequence or to prioritize tasks in the appropriate order in order to achieve a successful outcome

• planning ahead
  Encouraging someone to plan ahead and consider all necessary steps before taking action, in order to avoid potential problems or complications

Examples of Don't put the cart before the horse

• Sarah wanted to organize a fundraiser for a new sports court in the park, but she didn't have enough money yet. Her initial plan was to advertise and promote the event heavily, hoping that it would attract a lot of donations. However, her friend Rob warned her, "Sarah, don't put the cart before the horse. You need to secure the necessary funds before you start promoting the event."

  "Don't put the cart before the horse" is a figurative expression that means starting a process or action in the wrong order or before it is ready. In this example, Sarah was trying to promote the event before she had the necessary funds, which could potentially result in a lack of donations and a failed fundraiser. Rob was reminding Sarah that it's essential to first secure the funds before promoting the event, or else she could face negative consequences.

• Before implementing a marketing campaign, it's essential to establish a solid business strategy. Don't put the cart before the horse by prioritizing marketing tactics over strategic planning.

  The phrase "don't put the cart before the horse" is used to emphasize the importance of achieving things in the right order. In this example, it's saying that marketing tactics should not be the primary focus without a clear business strategy in place. By prioritizing marketing tactics over strategic planning, it's like putting the cart before the horse, which is the opposite of how things should be done. This idiom highlights the importance of following a logical sequence of events to achieve the desired outcome.

Conclusion

The idiom "don't put the cart before the horse" is used to caution against doing things out of order or without proper planning. It emphasizes the importance of following a logical and strategic approach in order to achieve success.

Origin of "Don't put the cart before the horse"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the use of horse-drawn carts in agriculture, where the horse was used to pull the cart and the cart was used to transport goods or materials. If the cart was put before the horse, it would not move forward and the intended task could not be completed.

In a figurative sense, the idiom came to be used in the 16th century to mean doing things out of order or incorrectly. It was also used to emphasize the importance of planning and prioritizing tasks in order to achieve a successful outcome. This idiom has remained popular over the years and is still used today to remind people to think before they act and to follow a logical sequence in their actions.