closing the stable door after the horse has bolted

closing the stable door after the horse has bolted

Trying to prevent or rectify a problem after the damage has already been done. If you try to replace the oil filter on the engine now, you're just closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
See also: after, bolt, closing, door, horse, stable
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • close the barn door after the horse has bolted
  • close the stable 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
  • stolen
  • 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
  • antifreeze
References in periodicals archive
It is like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. We do not know whether the government's action has had any salutary effect on profiteers.
"It's closing the stable door after the horse has bolted to say now that Anglesey should be separate."
Will it be another case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted? SIMON GALLOWA LLOWA LLOW Y, AY, A Ormesby
Waiting until children reach mid teenage years is too late and mirrors closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
This is closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. One thing that does worry me is how much influence a company would want on how police were deployed, where they were deployed and what they would turn a blind eye to."
So while he now faces condemnation, isn't it rather a case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted -twice?
TALK about closing the stable door after the horse has bolted, but it really is hard to build up any enthusiasm about today's early-price event at Fakenham (3.50).