Measure twice, cut once.

A long-standing English-language proverb rooted in practical craft traditions—especially carpentry, tailoring, and other trades where materials are costly and mistakes are hard to undo. The saying reflects workshop discipline: careful measuring and planning before committing to an irreversible action (like cutting wood or cloth). It circulated orally for generations and became a common maxim in manuals and everyday speech as a general principle of prudence. While often associated with woodworking, its appeal broadened in modern usage to engineering, business, and personal decision-making, where “cutting” stands in for any decisive step taken after verification.

“Measure twice, cut once” urges deliberate verification before irreversible commitment. Literally, it recommends checking dimensions more than once to avoid wasting material; figuratively, it advocates due diligence—confirming facts, assumptions, and plans—before acting. The proverb highlights the asymmetry between the low cost of re-checking and the high cost of errors once an action cannot be easily reversed. Its enduring significance lies in its portability: it applies to drafting, coding, contracts, and life choices, emphasizing that careful preparation is not hesitation but a form of efficiency and responsibility.

1) "Measure thrice and cut once."
2) "Measure twice and cut but once."
3) "Measure twice before you cut once."