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Explaining "Do not put the cart before the horse"

Reviewed and edited by Anwar Kareem 03/11/2024, 08:03
English.me team member

What does it mean?

Do not put the cart before the horse

The phrase means to do things in the correct order or sequence, and not to jump ahead to a later step before finishing an earlier, more fundamental one.

Tone

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Origin

The expression is a proverb that dates back to at least the 16th century. It refers to the impractical idea of placing a cart before a horse rather than behind it, thereby preventing it from moving properly.

Examples of usage

  • Before you start decorating the house, make sure you’ve bought it first. Do not put the cart before the horse.
  • You need to write the paper before you can submit it; don't put the cart before the horse.

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