he who hesitates (is lost)

he who hesitates (is lost)

Those who fail to take quick, decisive action will suffer for it or miss a good opportunity. A: "If only I'd invested in that company when they started up, I'd be a millionaire by now!" B: "Well, he who hesitates is lost." A: "You could have mitigated your losses if you'd dealt with the problem right away, but—" B: "Yeah, yeah, he who hesitates. I know."See also: he, hesitate, who

He who hesitates is lost.

Prov. People should act decisively. Jill: Should I apply for that job? At first I thought I definitely should, but now I don't know.... Jane: She who hesitates is lost. Call that girl and ask her out. Call her right now. He who hesitates is lost.See also: he, hesitate, lost, who

he who hesitates is lost

One who cannot come to a decision will suffer for it, as in I couldn't make up my mind, and now the offer has expired-he who hesitates is lost. Although the idea is undoubtedly older, the present wording is a misquotation or an adaptation from Joseph Addison's play Cato (1712): "The woman that deliberates is lost." See also: he, hesitate, lost, who

he who ˈhesitates (is ˈlost)

(saying) if you delay in doing something you may lose a good opportunity: You should have applied for that job. I’m sure you would have got it. Remember, he who hesitates...See also: he, hesitate, who