close the stable door after the horse has bolted

To try to prevent or rectify a problem after the damage has already been done. It isn't worth replacing the oil filter on the engine now—you can't close the stable door after the horse has bolted.

See also: after, bolt, close, door, horse, stable

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

close the stable door after the horse has bolted

BRITISH or

close the barn door after the horse has bolted

AMERICAN

If someone's action is closing the stable door after the horse has bolted, it is too late because the thing it is designed to prevent has already happened. It is nice to see the water company offering a reward to catch the fish killers, even though it might look like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. People have been complaining about a strong smell of gas for seven years. This is closing the barn door after the horse has bolted. Note: This expression is often varied. For instance, you can use shut instead of close, and words such as gone or escaped instead of bolted. The children should have been vaccinated earlier. It seems like they are shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. Note: People sometimes just say close the stable door or close the barn door. Journalists exposed the fraud, since when the regulators have been scuttling to close the stable door.

See also: after, bolt, close, door, horse, stable

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

shut/lock/close the stable door after the horse has ˈbolted

(British English) (American English shut, etc. the barn door after the horse has eˈscaped) take action to prevent something bad from happening after it has already happened: Last week all their silver was stolen; this week they’re putting in a burglar alarm! That’s really shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.

See also: after, bolt, close, door, horse, lock, shut, stable

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

See also:

close the barn door after the horse has bolted
shut/lock/close the stable door after the horse has bolted
shut the stable door after the horse has bolted
closing the stable door after the horse has bolted
lock the barn door after the horse has bolted
lock the barn/stable door after the horse has bolted/is stolen, to
lock the stable door after the horse has bolted
lock the stable door after the horse is stolen
stolen
antifreeze

References in periodicals archive

And, in a close the stable door after the horse has bolted operation, the government attempted to sue Mittal in the High Court to recover the clean-up costs.

Voice Of The Irish Sunday Mirror: Government failed us in steel sell-off

词组	close the stable door after the horse has bolted
释义	close the stable door after the horse has bolted close the stable door after the horse has bolted To try to prevent or rectify a problem after the damage has already been done. It isn't worth replacing the oil filter on the engine now—you can't close the stable door after the horse has bolted. See also: after, bolt, close, door, horse, stable Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. close the stable door after the horse has bolted BRITISH or close the barn door after the horse has bolted AMERICAN If someone's action is closing the stable door after the horse has bolted, it is too late because the thing it is designed to prevent has already happened. It is nice to see the water company offering a reward to catch the fish killers, even though it might look like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. People have been complaining about a strong smell of gas for seven years. This is closing the barn door after the horse has bolted. Note: This expression is often varied. For instance, you can use shut instead of close, and words such as gone or escaped instead of bolted. The children should have been vaccinated earlier. It seems like they are shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. Note: People sometimes just say close the stable door or close the barn door. Journalists exposed the fraud, since when the regulators have been scuttling to close the stable door. See also: after, bolt, close, door, horse, stable Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. shut/lock/close the stable door after the horse has ˈbolted (British English) (American English shut, etc. the barn door after the horse has eˈscaped) take action to prevent something bad from happening after it has already happened: Last week all their silver was stolen; this week they’re putting in a burglar alarm! That’s really shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. See also: after, bolt, close, door, horse, lock, shut, stable Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary See also: close the barn door after the horse has bolted shut/lock/close the stable door after the horse has bolted shut the stable door after the horse has bolted closing the stable door after the horse has bolted lock the barn door after the horse has bolted lock the barn/stable door after the horse has bolted/is stolen, to lock the stable door after the horse has bolted lock the stable door after the horse is stolen stolen antifreeze References in periodicals archive And, in a close the stable door after the horse has bolted operation, the government attempted to sue Mittal in the High Court to recover the clean-up costs. Voice Of The Irish Sunday Mirror: Government failed us in steel sell-off
随便看	have (someone or something) on the brain have someone or something taped have someone over a barrel have (someone) over (for something) have someone pegged have someone's ass in a sling have (someone's) blood on (one's) hands have (someone's) blood on (one's) head have someone's ear have someone's guts for garters have someone's number have (someone's) number on it have someone's number on it have (someone's or something's) good points have (someone's or something's) plus points have (someone's or something's) uses have (someone) turned around (one's) (little) finger have (someone) turned round (one's) (little) finger have (someone) twisted around (one's) (little) finger have (someone) twisted round (one's) (little) finger have (someone) under (one's) spell have (someone) under (one's) thumb have (someone) under (one's) wing have (someone) wound around (one's) (little) finger have (someone) wound round (one's) (little) finger