“Forewarned is forearmed”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
The phrase means that being informed or aware of a potential problem or danger in advance gives one the advantage to prepare or act accordingly.
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Where it comes from
The phrase originates from the Latin praemonitus, praemunitus, which means forewarned is forearmed. It has been used in English since at least the 16th century.
Examples
- Knowing there will be traffic delays, she left early for her appointment—to her, forewarned is forearmed.
- The weather forecast predicted rain, so he brought an umbrella. Forewarned is forearmed.
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