A stitch in time saves nine

Meaning

Fixing small problems now prevents bigger ones later.

Usage

Encourages proactive maintenance.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Sewing metaphor about mending fabric before more stitches are needed.

Recorded in English in the 18th century.