English Dictionary

measure twice and cut once

ことわざ

直訳 広義 比喩的用法

(carpentry, literally) One should double-check one's measurements for accuracy before cutting a piece of wood; otherwise it may be necessary to cut again, wasting time and material.

日本語の意味

物事を行う前に、十分に確認や準備をすることの大切さを説いている。実際の作業では、寸法を二度確認してから切断するように、リスクや失敗を避けるために事前のチェックを徹底すべきだという教訓。 / 計画や手順などにおいて、軽率な判断を避け、慎重に進めるべきだという警告。

As the old proverb goes, measure twice and cut once when you're building a bookshelf.

古いことわざにあるように、本棚を作るときは切る前に寸法を二度確認しなさい。

意味（1）

(carpentry, literally) One should double-check one's measurements for accuracy before cutting a piece of wood; otherwise it may be necessary to cut again, wasting time and material.

Look at Carpenters! . . . In old times it was a proverb Measure twice, and cut once.

意味（2）

(figuratively, by extension) Plan and prepare in a careful, thorough manner before taking action.

Mr. Paz noted that since the onset of the credit crisis, eBay, like other companies, hasn’t been able to measure twice and cut once.