don’t put the cart before the horse
Meaning
Don’t do things in the wrong order; don’t act on later steps before the necessary earlier ones are done.
Origin
From the literal absurdity of a horse-drawn cart: if the cart is placed in front of the horse, it can’t be pulled properly. Used as a metaphor for reversed priorities/order since at least the 1500s–1600s.
Notes
Used to warn someone they’re jumping ahead (planning/acting without prerequisites). Slightly admonishing; can be softened with “Let’s not…” or “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
Examples
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Let’s finish the market research first—don’t put the cart before the horse by designing the whole product already.
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You’re picking paint colors before you’ve even found an apartment; don’t put the cart before the horse.
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Don’t put the cart before the horse: get the permit approved before you hire the contractors.
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I know you’re excited, but don’t put the cart before the horse and announce the partnership before the contract is signed.
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If you start worrying about retirement before you’ve paid off your debt, you’re putting the cart before the horse.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually in the negative imperative: “Don’t put the cart before the horse.” Variants: “You’re putting the cart before the horse,” “Let’s not put…”. Article is typically “the cart/the horse,” and the order is fixed.
Synonyms
- get ahead of yourself
- jump the gun
- count your chickens before they hatch
- put the horse before the cart
Antonyms
- do things in the right order
- put first things first