a stitch in time (saves nine)

a stitch in time (saves nine)

proverb An action taken now will prevent problems later. You should consider getting your car repaired now before you're left stranded on the side of the road—a stitch in time saves nine. I know it's a month away, but I already started preparing for the big dinner party. A stitch in time, you know.
See also: stitch, time
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

stitch in time saves nine

Prov. If you fix a small problem right away, it will not become a bigger problem later. Let's patch the roof before that hole gets bigger. A stitch in time saves nine.
See also: nine, save, stitch, time
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

stitch in time, a

A prompt action will avert more serious trouble. For example, Changing the car's oil every 7,000 miles is a stitch in time. The complete form of this adage, a stitch in time saves nine, appeared in Thomas Fuller's 1732 proverb collection, Gnomologia, and is so well known that it often is stated in shortened form. Ogden Nash played with it in the title for his verse collection, A Stitch Too Late Is My Fate (1938).
See also: stitch
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a stitch in time

If someone says a stitch in time, they mean that it is better to deal with a problem in its early stages, in order to prevent it getting worse. As for the paintwork, paint over any small areas that have flaked off and save yourself a bigger job later on. A stitch in time. Note: This expression comes from the proverb a stitch in time saves nine, which can also be used in full. Meanwhile, it was announced that interest rates were rising now to prevent bigger rises later. It was, said Mr George, a case of `a stitch in time saves nine'.
See also: stitch, time
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a stitch in time

if you sort out a problem immediately, it may save a lot of extra work later. proverb
The fuller form of the expression is a stitch in time saves nine. Nine here has no particular significance as a number but was chosen because of its similarity in sound with the word time .
See also: stitch, time
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a ˌstitch in ˈtime (saves ˈnine)

(saying) if you act immediately when something goes wrong, it will save you a lot more work later, because the problem will get worse if you leave it: We’d better fix that leak before it does any permanent damage. A stitch in time...
See also: stitch, time
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • teach a man to fish
  • it takes a village
  • village
  • an apple a day
  • apple a day
  • best-laid plans go astray, the
  • the best-laid plans
  • the best-laid plans go astray
  • the best-laid plans of mice and men
  • better bend than break