ENGLISH
REFERENCE

close the stable door after the horse has bolted

idiom

To attempt to prevent a problem that has already occurred; to design and implement a preventive mechanism that is too late (after the first failure instead of before).


Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    bang down the door

    To present oneself as a strong candidate for a role or achievement, explicitly or implicitly.

  2. 02

    beat a dead horse

    To persist or continue far beyond any purpose, interest or reason.

  3. 03

    charley horse

    A muscle cramp, usually a strong one, in the thigh, leg, arm, or core.

  4. 04

    close enough for government work

    Adequate; acceptable as government work, imperfect but not worth the time nor effort of improving.

  5. 05

    close in on

    To enclose around; to tighten or shrink; to collapse.

  6. 06

    close on the heels of

    Near in time or place; very close.

  7. 07

    close one eye

    to look the other way, to deliberately ignore or overlook (a mistake or transgression).

  8. 08

    close one's eyes

    To ignore something.

© 2026 English Reference