# look before one leaps

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/look-before-one-leaps
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To think before taking action.

## Examples

- Always look before you leap when making big decisions.
- Before you quit your job to start a business, you should look before you leap and save some money first.
- While the temptation to act immediately was strong, the seasoned diplomat chose to look before he leaped, carefully weighing the potential consequences of his response.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.