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Glite Dictionary
to fix the roof while the sun is shining

to fix the roof while the sun is shining

6.5
Take action now while things are good
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : aprovechar el momento
  • Businesses must fix the roof while the sun is shining by investing during prosperous times.

Examples

  • It’s wise to fix the roof while the sun is shining rather than waiting for problems to appear.

  • Let's fix the roof while the sun is shining!

  • You should fix the roof while the sun is shining instead of waiting for a crisis to act.

  • Is it time to fix the roof while the sun is shining?

  • It is better to fix the roof while the sun is shining than to wait until it rains.

  • To avoid future problems, you should fix the roof while the sun is shining by planning ahead.

  • She decided to fix the roof while the sun is shining to ensure everything was ready for the storm.

Synonyms

to make hay while the sun shines
vsto fix the roof while the sun is shining
  • Informal
1 5.8

Act while a good chance is still there

includes acting now and also making preparations while conditions are good
while the sun is shining
vsto fix the roof while the sun is shining
5.3

Use a good chance before it ends

focuses more broadly on preparing and acting while conditions remain favorable

Antonyms

to neglect
256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

to bide one's time
  • Informal
7.5

Wait for a good chance before acting

How Prepared

prevention
221 2.4
to fix the roof while the sun is shining
  • Informal
6.5
to prepare
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

fix the roof while the sun is shining infinitive
fixed the roof while the sun was shining past
fixed the roof while the sun is shining past participle
fixing the roof while the sun is shining present participle
fixes the roof while the sun is shining third person singular

Morphology

fix + the + roof + while + the + sun + be + shine

The phrase's literal sense—repair the roof while the sun is shining—is directly composed from its constituents ('fix', 'roof', 'sun', 'shining') and clearly conveys acting during good conditions. The general proverbial extension (do necessary tasks while circumstances are favorable) follows naturally from the literal image and is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the words will readily infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

The saying fix the roof while the sun is shining comes from the image of repairing a roof while the sun is out and the weather is good, because it is easier and safer to fix things then. So it means 'take action while conditions are good'.