PhrasesHub

Haste makes waste

    Definitions

      • caution against rushing or acting too quickly
        To advise someone to take their time and consider their actions carefully, as acting hastily may result in mistakes, errors, or wasted effort.

      • emphasize the importance of patience and thoroughness
        To highlight the idea that rushing through tasks without proper attention and care can lead to negative consequences or poor results.

      • warn against impulsive decision-making
        To caution against making decisions or taking action without careful consideration and planning, as this may result in negative outcomes or regret.

    Examples of Haste makes waste

    • Sarah rushed through her work, not taking the time to double-check her calculations. As a result, she made several errors, causing her boss to waste valuable resources in fixing the mistakes.

      This idiom means that acting too quickly without proper planning or attention to detail can lead to unnecessary waste or loss. In Sarah's case, her haste resulted in errors that required her boss to waste time and resources in correcting them.

    • John decided to paint his entire house in just one weekend, thinking it would save him time and money. However, he ended up with a messy and uneven finish, which required him to hire a professional painter to fix the mistakes.

      This example shows how haste can lead to more expenses in the long run. John's eagerness to save time and money by doing the job himself resulted in a subpar result that required him to spend more money to fix the mistakes.

    • The company's marketing team came up with a new campaign in a rush, without conducting proper research or testing. As a result, the campaign failed to generate the expected results, causing the company to waste resources and lose potential customers.

      This example illustrates how haste can lead to wasted opportunities. The marketing team's lack of planning and research resulted in a campaign that did not resonate with the target audience, causing the company to miss out on potential customers and waste resources in the process.

    • During the busy season, the restaurant's staff worked at breakneck speed, trying to serve as many customers as possible. However, they ended up making several mistakes, such as forgetting orders or serving the wrong dishes. As a result, the restaurant received negative reviews and lost repeat customers.

      This example shows how haste can lead to poor customer service and negative consequences. The restaurant's staff's rush to serve as many customers as possible resulted in mistakes that affected the customer experience, causing the restaurant to lose repeat customers and damage its reputation.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "haste makes waste" is a cautionary phrase that advises against rushing or acting too quickly. It emphasizes the importance of patience and thoroughness in order to avoid mistakes and achieve better results. It also serves as a warning against impulsive decision-making, reminding us to carefully consider our actions before taking any major steps.

    Origin of "Haste makes waste"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to a 14th century Latin phrase, "festina lente," which translates to "make haste slowly." This phrase was often used by Roman emperors as a motto, reminding them to balance speed with careful consideration.

    In English, the idiom first appeared in the early 1500s and was commonly used in the form of "haste makes waste." It has been attributed to various sources, including the English poet John Heywood and the playwright William Shakespeare. However, its exact origins are unclear.

    Regardless of its origin, the idiom remains a popular and relevant phrase in modern times. It serves as a reminder to not let haste or impatience lead to mistakes or wasted effort.