Learn English – English idiom, for checking thoroughly before executing, please!

idioms

in my language we have " measure 7 times, cut once"
meaning one better check, think and plan thoroughly before making any decision or excuting any action.
is there any English equivalent? Thank you in advance!

Best Answer

"Measure twice, cut once" is the closest English equivalent, with the same meaning. I think it is known outside the building trades, and this article opens by asserting "Most of us have heard the expression..."

I suspect "twice" is used instead of a larger number because (a) it still makes the point, and (b) English does not offer a more concise common way to say n times for n>2. Does your language offer a more concise way of saying that for seven times?

Also do feel free to check out our sister site, English Language Learners, which has a lot more questions like this. If you want this question to be moved there, you can request that a moderator do so in the question comments or by flagging the question if you have the flag option.

I see Hot Licks has put this in a comment and have upvoted that comment, but it fits better as an answer.