C1idiomtime
a stitch in time saves nine
USUK
acting early to fix a small problem saves much more work later
A proverb, often shortened to 'a stitch in time'. Use it as advice to deal with a small problem before it grows.
In context
Fix that leaking tap now: a stitch in time saves nine.
Our manager checks every contract early because a stitch in time saves nine.
More idioms about time
- a blast from the pastsomething or someone that suddenly reminds you of an earlier time
- a long time comingif something is a long time coming, people have waited a long time for it
- a matter of timecertain to happen, although you do not know exactly when
- a race against timea situation where you must hurry to finish before time runs out
- a sign of the timessomething that shows how society is now, often in a bad way