Explaining "A stitch in time saves nine."

What does it mean?

The phrase means that taking care of a problem promptly, while it is still small, can prevent it from becoming much larger and more difficult to fix later.

Tone

Origin

The phrase is believed to date back to the early 18th century. It refers to the idea that sewing a small tear in fabric promptly can prevent the need for more extensive repairs later, as delaying the repair might cause the tear to worsen.