PhrasesHub

Look before you leap

    Definitions

      • caution
        To advise someone to think carefully and consider the potential consequences or risks before taking action or making a decision

      • preparation
        To highlight the importance of careful planning and preparation before embarking on a task or project

    Examples of Look before you leap

    • Before making a big decision, it's important to consider all the possible outcomes and consequences. You don't want to rush into something without thinking it through, as the old saying goes, "Look before you leap."

      This idiom urges people to be cautious and thoughtful before taking action, especially when the potential consequences are significant. It's a way of reminding us to weigh the pros and cons of a situation before making a decision, to avoid jumping into something too quickly or impulsively. The phrase "look before you leap" is derived from the image of a person about to jump off a high place, such as a cliff or a diving board. Before taking the leap, it's wise to scan the area below and make sure it's safe to jump. By applying this metaphor to decision-making, we can learn to approach our choices with a similar level of care and consideration.


    Conclusion

    In both of these meanings, the idiom "look before you leap" serves as a warning to be mindful and thoughtful before jumping into something. It emphasizes the idea of taking a moment to assess the situation and potential outcomes before making a move. It can also be seen as a reminder to not act impulsively and to instead take a more cautious and calculated approach.

    Origin of "Look before you leap"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to an ancient Greek fable told by Aesop. In the fable, a fox convinces a goat to jump into a well to get a drink of water. However, once the goat is in the well, the fox uses the goat as a stepping stone to escape. The moral of the fable is to look before you leap, or to think before you act.

    Over time, this phrase became a popular proverb and eventually evolved into the idiom we know today. It is often used in a figurative sense, but it still carries the same meaning of caution and preparation. In modern times, it is also commonly used as a piece of advice for decision-making and risk-taking in various situations.