looks before one leaps
Considers before acting
To look before one leaps is to consider consequences before acting—to assess risk rather than plunging in impulsively.
The phrase comes from the proverb "look before you leap," warning against hasty decisions.
Someone who looks before they leap weighs options carefully: She always looks before she leaps when it comes to major purchases.
- carefulnessQuality of being thorough
- better safe than sorryPrudence over risk
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- safety firstPrioritize precaution always
- judiciousnessCareful, wise reasoning
circumspection · think twice · foresight · precaution · due diligence · risk assessment · evaluation · discernment · mindfulness · implications · reflection · sleeping on it · wariness · analysis · pros and cons · planning · choice · deliberation
looks before one leapsrushes in
Enters with haste
shoots from the hip · impulsive · reckless · spontaneous · hasty
looks before one leapsshoots from the hip
Acts on impulse
rushes in · damn the torpedoes · spur of the moment · knee-jerk reaction · snap decision
looks before one leapstakes the plunge
Acts despite uncertainty
rolls the dice · takes a flyer · lives dangerously · plays with fire · devil may care
look, looks, looked, looking, looker, lookers, overlook, overlooks, overlooked