Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

a stitch in time saves nine

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.48 in modern English

Syllables
a stitch in -time saves -nine
IPA
32
Scrabble Score
22
Letters
3
Syllables
10
Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

A little effort expended sooner to fix a small problem prevents it from becoming a larger problem requiring more effort to fix later.

Etymology

From the practice of mending a small tear in cloth when first noticed ("in time"), before it becomes a larger one requiring more stitches.

Phrases

never put off until tomorrow what you can do today there's no time like the present prevention is better than cure an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Frequently Paired Words

never put off until tomorrow what you can do today there's no time like the present prevention is better than cure an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Questions

What does a stitch in time saves nine mean?
A little effort expended sooner to fix a small problem prevents it from becoming a larger problem requiring more effort to fix later.
Where does a stitch in time saves nine come from?
From the practice of mending a small tear in cloth when first noticed ("in time"), before it becomes a larger one requiring more stitches.

How to pronounce a stitch in time saves nine

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “a stitch in time saves nine”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “a stitch in time saves nine”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “a stitch in time saves nine” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.