Lock the Barn/Stable Door After the Horse Has Bolted/Been Stolen, To
Meaning:
To take precautions after damage has already been done. Essentially, it involves addressing a problem or securing something after it is already too late to make a difference.
Origins:
This proverb dates back to approximately 1190, found in French collections, and made its way into Middle-English manuscripts around 1350.
Similar Terms:
- Closing the barn door after the horse is out: Another way of saying the same thing.
- Too little, too late: Efforts made too late to be effective.
- Crying over spilt milk: Complaining about a loss or failure from the past.
- A day late and a dollar short: Behind schedule and insufficiently prepared.
Quotes and Fun Phrases:
“He locked the stable door while they were putting the cart before the horse.” — Stanley Walker, The Uncanny Knacks of Mr. Doherty (1941)
“Why restrain your steed with the door already in the laws’ maw? 🤷” — Sir Laugh-a-Lot
Proverbs and References:
- An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: It’s better to deal with an issue before it becomes a problem.
- Better late than never: While taking action late isn’t ideal, it’s still better than not acting at all.
- Don’t shut the barn door after the cow leaves: Another variant of the saying, pointing out the irony in taking preventive measures too late.
Suggested Books, Songs, and Movies:
- Books:
- Foresight vs. Hindsight by Prudence Weller
- Proverbs for Preventers by Wise Elder
- Songs:
- “Closing Time” by Semisonic (inspired analogy: taking action before the window closes)
- “Too Late” by The Weeknd
- Movies:
- Catch Me If You Can (2002) - The story of chasing someone after they’ve done the damage.
- The Day After Tomorrow (2004) - A thriller where lessons of late action in preventing climate change become ominously clear.
### Which of these illustrates the idea of taking action too late?
- [x] Locking the stable door after the horse has bolted
- [ ] Having your cake and eating it too
- [ ] The early bird catches the worm
- [ ] Birds of a feather flock together
> **Explanation:** Locking the stable door after the horse has bolted means taking precautions after the damage is done, unlike the other sayings.
### Which phrase means to be properly prepared in advance?
- [ ] An apple a day keeps the doctor away
- [x] An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
- [ ] You can't judge a book by its cover
- [ ] A rolling stone gathers no moss
> **Explanation:** "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" refers to addressing issues before they grow into problems.
### True or False: The proverb "Lock the stable door after the horse is stolen" suggests proactive behavior.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False. This proverb indicates taking action when it is already too late, not a proactive behavior.
### Which expression has a similar meaning to taking too late actions?
- [x] Crying over spilt milk
- [ ] Saving for a rainy day
- [ ] Barking up the wrong tree
- [ ] Making lemonade out of lemons
> **Explanation:** "Crying over spilt milk" refers to regretting what's already happened and is out of your control, akin to locking the door after the horse is gone.
Remember to be vigilant and proactive, because wisdom often requires action ahead of time—not post-mortem deliberations. Until next time, stay ahead of the game and keep the door firmly shut! ✨
