What does ‘look before you leap’ mean?
To “look before you leap” means to think carefully before you act. Brewer's records this as a familiar English proverb, in print by the 14th century.
Origin
- Brewer's records this as a familiar English proverb, in print by the 14th century.
How to use it
- Standard caution before a big decision.
- Example: Read the contract fully — look before you leap.
Source:
Last verified: 2026-07-18
- Definitions and origins are drawn from public-domain reference works, primarily Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898), with modern usage notes clearly marked.