measure twice, cut once

measure twice, cut once
Widely associated with carpentry. A similar sentiment is think twice, cut once.

1901 Manitoba Morning Free Press 15 Nov. 7 (advertisement) ‘Measure twice, cut but once.’ Experiment till you find the uniformly good make of shoe—the shape, size and width you need. Then stick to it—don’t speculate.

1964 Cedar Rapids Gazette, 29 Mar. 20E Accurate measurements are the backbone of good construction. There’s an old saying among carpenters that if you measure twice, you will have to cut only once.

1992 Independent 22 Oct. 14 Ross Perot said the key to reducing the deficit will be to measure twice and cut once. Boy, too bad his barber didn’t follow that advice.

2000 Houston Chronicle 10 Aug. 29 ‘My dad always taught me: “Measure twice, cut once,”... Someone forgot to measure twice here.’

2005 posting on http://www.pipeline.corante.com 16 Mar. This law of mine comes down to the old advice of ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once.’ It’s a hard rule to remember, when you’ve got a box of saws and the wood is just sitting there, daring you to have at it.


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  • think twice, cut once — Less generally current than the very similar measure twice, cut once. 1984 New York Times 9 Sept. (section 11NJ) 8 ‘Think twice, cut once,’ the amateur hobbyist is advised, and note that, beginning in 1871, it took 15 years to design and build… …   Proverbs new dictionary

  • measure seven times, cut once — Russian proverb, originally referring to carpentry and needlework, meaning that care taken in preparation will prevent errors; cf. measure twice, cut once and think twice, cut once. 1853 W. FELGATE trans. Tapparelli d’Azeglio, Marchese Massimo… …   Proverbs new dictionary

  • once — see once a , always a once a priest, always a priest once a whore, always a whore once bitten, twice shy you can only die once fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me …   Proverbs new dictionary

  • cut — participial adjective see a slice off a cut loaf isn’t missed verb see don’t cut off your nose to spite your face cut your coat according to your cloth diamond cuts diamond measure seven times, cut once …   Proverbs new dictionary

  • twice — see fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me he gives twice who gives quickly lightning never strikes the same place twice measure twice, cut once once bitten, twice shy opportunity never knocks …   Proverbs new dictionary

  • measure — see measure seven times, cut once measure twice, cut once there is measure in all things man is the measure of all things …   Proverbs new dictionary

  • Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, Thematic Index — absence absence makes the heart grow fonder he who is absent is always in the wrong the best of friends must part blue are the hills that are far away distance lends enchantment to the view out of sight, out of mind …   Proverbs new dictionary

  • You Only Live Twice (film) — Infobox Film Bond name = You Only Live Twice caption = You Only Live Twice film poster by Robert McGinnis Frank McCarthy bond = Sean Connery stars = Mie Hama Donald Pleasence Akiko Wakabayashi writer = Ian Fleming screenplay = Roald Dahl… …   Wikipedia

  • Diamond cut — This article is about diamond cut styles. For a broader discussion of decorative diamonds, see Diamond (gemstone). Part of a series on Diamonds Material …   Wikipedia

  • Norm Abram — Born Norman L. Abram September 25, 1950 (1950 09 25) (age 61) Woonsocket, Rhode Island Spouse Elise Hauenstein[1] …   Wikipedia

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