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“Look before you leap”: meaning, origin and examples

Look before you leap

What it means

The phrase Look before you leap is a proverb advising caution. It suggests that one should consider the possible consequences or risks before taking action.

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Where it comes from

The phrase dates back to at least the 14th century, with similar admonitions appearing in various cultures. It became more widely known in English through the book of proverbs The Proverbs of John Heywood from 1546.

Examples

  • Before investing in the stock market, remember to look before you leap.
  • I decided to look before I leap by researching the job thoroughly before accepting the offer.

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