Can somebody tell me the meaning of 'A Stitch in time saves nine'?

Answer 1

A stitch in time saves nine.
Meaning:
You use this proverb to say that it is better to spend a little time to deal with problems or act right now than wait. If you wait until late, things will get worse, and it will take much longer to deal with them.

It is often shortened to "A stitch in time." This proverb expresses a similar idea to that of An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.



Example:
I advise fixing the leak now. If not, you might need to replace the whole engine later. Fixing the leak costs $50, but you need to pay at least $1,000 to replace the engine. A stitch in time, you know.

If you have an idea for your final research paper, start writing today. Don't wait until the end of the semester. A stitch in time saves nine.

Answer 2

"A stitch in time saves nine. If you deal with problems immediately, when they first appear, you will save yourself a lot of money and trouble after. This adage is listed in the 1732 Thomas Fuller's book of proverbs, and was first cited in the United States in the 1787 'Journal of Tour of North America in 1796-1791' by Francis Bally (1774-1844). The word 'nine' was introduced for assonance." From "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" by Gregory Y. Titelman.



Basically, the proverb means if you sew up your hem when it first starts to unravel, it's not a big problem. If you wait and don't take care of it, the whole hem will come undone. THEN you'll have a lot of stitching to do.

Answer 3

This is an aphorism. An aphorism is a pithy statement that used to describe a principle in a few telling words or any general truth, in such a way that when once heard it is unlikely to pass from memory. They often can have a rhyming effect.

When a thread breaks in a seam in your clothing and it is taken care of in time, it will save the extra work of the additional nine stitches that it will take to repair the resulting tear in a short time.

Answer 4

What an interesting collection of answers you've gotten. The literal translation of Ben Franklin's old adage is that if your clothing has a small tear or hole in it, sewing 1 stitch now will eliminate the need for 9 (or more) later if the hole remains unattended to a grows larger.

The saying applies to everyday life, in that, if a problem arises needing your attention, delaying a simple, uncomplicated action to resolve the problem could cause you to devote much more attention to fixing or resolving the problem in the future. Fix the pin hole sized leak before the pipe breaks and causes a flood!

Answer 5

It means if you are careful now, and you do not miss that stitch in something such as knitting, crochetting or even sewing you will not have to tear out the next 8 to get back to it and correct in.
In other words, care now saves work later.

Answer 6

A sitch now will save nine later (when the sowing ALL becomes unravelled because you've ignored it)

Answer 7

It means that if you deal with something immediately you'll save yourself more effort in the long run. In other words, dont procrastinate.

Answer 8

It means tht if you do some minor repairs for anything in time, then it saves you from major repairs. Eg., if you fill air in the tyre of your vehicle in time you are saved from getting the puncture in it. :)

Answer 9

It means tending to your problems right now will save you from more grief later, when the problen worsens.

Answer 10

Taking preventitive measures saves time and trouble later on.