Score twice before you cut once.
This proverb means that it is wise to carefully consider and plan before taking action. It implies that haste can lead to mistakes and regrets.
"Score twice before you cut once" is a variant of the well-known proverb "measure twice, cut once," which encourages thorough planning and careful preparation before taking any significant action to prevent costly mistakes, wasted resources, and rework. The phrase emphasizes the importance of double-checking and verifying plans or measurements to ensure accuracy, as fixing errors after an action has been taken can be more difficult and expensive.
- In trades like carpentry, this means to physically measure a piece of wood, then measure it again to confirm the first measurement was correct before cutting it.
- This practice ensures that the final piece is the right size and prevents waste of material, time, and effort if the measurement is off.
The proverb is used figuratively to mean thinking carefully and preparing thoroughly before making important decisions or taking action.
It advises evaluating options, considering potential consequences, and planning carefully to avoid future complications or the need to repeat the task.
- Engineering: Using reviews and testing to catch problems early.
- Journalism: Employing the editing process to catch errors before publication.
- Bioengineering: Conducting thorough measurements and calibrations to ensure successful functional designs.
- Project Management: Implementing detailed planning and risk assessment before initiating a project to avoid costly setbacks.
