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I think it is well known that if we indulgently let something bad happen, there will be more similar cases arising. The outbreak of the negative effects could be unstoppable. So is there any idiom, proverb or fancy expression used to stress this point.

Mari-Lou A
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jazelly
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3 Answers3

2

A quotation sometimes attributed to Benjamin Franklin is An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Jim Mack
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1

There is

A stitch in time saves nine.

and

Don't spoil the ship for a ha'porth of tar.

and also

For want of a nail, the shoe was lost;
For want of the shoe, the horse was lost;
For want of the horse, the rider was lost;
For want of the rider, the battle was lost;
For want of the battle, the kingdom was lost;
And all from the want of a horseshoe nail.

There is also an expression

the thin end of the wedge

for which Merriam-Webster has

the beginning of something that will become more serious, unpleasant, etc.
The bank's decision to raise rates could be the thin end of the wedge if other banks follow along.

Weather Vane
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  • Thanks, the first one is right on point, but the second and third one is kind of off the topic, as IMO, it only strengthens the importance of attention to details or trivial stuff. What I want to promote is the point to stop making mistakes in the early stage. – jazelly Feb 14 '20 at 09:29
  • I included the lines for interest. The "wedge" one conveys your idea of being unstoppable once it begins to happen. – Weather Vane Feb 14 '20 at 09:31
  • To add to the collection - "nip it in the bud" – user888379 Feb 14 '20 at 14:35
  • And didn't Rumi say if you don't want a camel in your tent, don't let him stick his nose in? – Yosef Baskin Feb 14 '20 at 14:55
0

Depending on the context, this idiom might work

One rotten apple spoils the barrel

Weather Vane
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Kevin Ryan
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