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Glite Dictionary
measure twice, cut once

measure twice, cut once

6.3
To check something carefully before you do it to avoid mistakes
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : mide dos veces, corta una
  • In carpentry, the saying measure twice, cut once emphasizes the importance of careful planning.

Examples

  • The slogan measure twice, cut once is displayed in the workshop as a reminder to work carefully.

  • You should always measure twice, cut once when doing any home improvement project.

  • Her father taught her to measure twice, cut once whenever making important decisions.

  • Remember to measure twice, cut once!

  • Before starting the project, you should measure twice, cut once.

  • Before starting the project, you should measure twice, cut once to avoid costly mistakes.

  • Whenever I start a new task, I remind myself to measure twice, cut once to ensure I get it right.

Synonyms

to be careful
vsmeasure twice, cut once
979 1.0

Take care to avoid danger or getting hurt

gives specific advice to verify details before action rather than general caution
to think twice
vsmeasure twice, cut once
  • Informal
107 3.6

Carefully consider something before you act to avoid a mistake

urges checking facts or details before acting rather than only pondering
to double-check
vsmeasure twice, cut once
73 2.5

To look again to make sure it is correct or safe

focuses on verifying plans or measurements before action rather than rechecking later
easy does it
vsmeasure twice, cut once
  • Informal
8 6.0

Move slowly and carefully to avoid mistakes or accidents

emphasizes verifying specifics before starting rather than moving gently during work
to dot the i's and cross the t's
vsmeasure twice, cut once
  • Informal
1 5.8

To pay careful attention to small details when finishing a task

stresses checking overall measurements before acting rather than only final small details
to check oneself before one wrecks oneself
vsmeasure twice, cut once
  • Slang
9.9

To stop and think before you say or do something that causes trouble

targets checking concrete plans and details before acting rather than personal behaviour

Antonyms

hastily
49 3.5

In a quick, careless way

rush
1 4.1

Done quickly under pressure with less care than usual

How Careful

to verify
251 3.5
measure twice, cut once
  • Informal
6.3
to think twice
  • Informal
107 3.6
to be careful
979 1.0

Surface Forms

measure twice, cut once main

Morphology

measure + twice, + cut + once

The proverb's literal sequence ('measure twice' then 'cut once') conveys a clear procedural logic — check carefully before acting to avoid mistakes — so a learner who knows measure, twice, cut and once can infer the intended advice. This compositional, imperative structure is cross-linguistically familiar and not idiomatic, making the meaning immediately accessible to a B1 learner.

Etymology

The proverb measure twice, cut once comes from carpentry, where carpenters would measure the wood twice and cut only once so the piece fit and nothing was wasted. That's why it means 'check carefully before you act' to avoid mistakes.