Idiom idiom
haste makes waste
Meaning
You'll make mistakes if you rush through something
Examples
“Take your time with the painting, because haste makes waste.”
“I rushed through my homework and got every answer wrong, proving that haste makes waste.”
“The manager reminded the team that haste makes waste, urging them to double-check the data before submitting the final report to the board.”
Origin
first recorded 16th c.
first recorded 16th c.
English proverb recorded in John Heywood's collection (1546); the sentiment appears earlier in Chaucer.
Last updated June 7, 2026