stitch

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.

in stitches laughing uncontrollably. informal

☞ Stitch, in the sense of 'a sudden localized jabbing pain', such as might be caused by a needle, is recorded in Old English. It is now generally used of a muscle spasm in the side caused especially by exertion. Shakespeare seems to have been the first to describe stitches brought on by laughter; in Twelfth Night (1601) Maria invites her fellow conspirators to observe the lovelorn Malvolio with the words: 'If you…will laugh yourselves into stitches, follow me'.

1981D. M. ThomasThe White Hotel She had them in stitches with her absurd-but true- anecdotes.