亡羊补牢
wáng yáng bǔ láoTo mend the fold after the sheep have been stolen; to take remedial action after damage has been done.
亡羊补牢，为时不晚。
It's never too late to mend the fold after the sheep have been stolen.
公司发现漏洞后立即亡羊补牢，避免了更大的损失。
The company took remedial action immediately after discovering the loophole, preventing greater losses.
This idiom emphasizes the importance of taking corrective measures promptly after realizing a mistake or problem.
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💡Pro Tip
Usage Context
This idiom is commonly used in formal and professional contexts to emphasize the importance of timely corrective actions.
⚡Gold Rule
Timely Action
The idiom highlights that it's better to take action early to prevent further damage, even if the initial problem has already occurred.
📖Word Origin
The idiom originates from a story in 'Han Feizi' (a classic Chinese text) where a man loses sheep due to a broken fence but only repairs it after the damage is done.
📝Usage Notes
This idiom is often used to advise someone to take action to fix a problem as soon as it is discovered, rather than ignoring it.