The idiom “The more haste, the worse speed” means that hurrying or rushing through a task often leads to mistakes or poor results. It highlights the importance of taking your time and being patient rather than trying to complete something too quickly. In simple terms, hurry often leads to failure.
✔ Meaning:
- “The more haste, the worse speed” refers to the idea that rushing through something without taking time to do it properly will only slow you down in the long run.
- It implies that sometimes, slowing down and being methodical actually leads to a better and faster outcome than hurrying through a task.
✔ Used When:
- When someone is trying to finish something quickly but is making mistakes or not doing it well.
- When advising someone to take their time and avoid rushing to ensure better results.
- To emphasize that patience and careful planning lead to success rather than immediate action.
✔ Implied Message:
This idiom teaches us that taking your time and being careful often yields better results than trying to finish a task hastily. When you rush, you might miss details, make mistakes, and ultimately lose more time in fixing things later on.
Hindi Equivalent:
“जल्दबाजी में काम बिगड़ता है” (अर्थ: बिना सोचे-समझे जल्दबाजी में किया गया काम असफल होता है।)
🧠 Detailed Explanation
The idiom is a reminder that doing things in haste, especially without proper thought or preparation, can often lead to errors, problems, or a longer time to fix those mistakes. In contrast, taking your time to carefully consider your actions often results in a smoother and more efficient outcome.
For example, if you try to complete an important project quickly and skip steps, it might seem like you’re saving time, but in reality, you’ll end up needing more time to correct the mistakes.
Example Sentences:
English: “Don’t rush through the exam, remember, the more haste, the worse speed. Take your time to think through your answers.”
Hindi: “परीक्षा में जल्दी मत करो, याद रखना, जल्दबाजी में काम बिगड़ता है। अपने उत्तरों पर सोच-समझ कर समय लो।”
Key Takeaways:
- The idiom emphasizes that rushing often leads to poor outcomes.
- It encourages us to slow down, be patient, and work carefully for better results.
- It’s a reminder that haste can waste time in the long run.
✔ Origin of the Idiom:
This idiom has been used for centuries and stems from the idea that rushing in any situation—whether in work, driving, or even decision-making—will typically lead to mistakes. It aligns with the principle that careful preparation and patience yield better results.
✔ Real-World Examples:
In Conversations:
English: “You’ll do better if you don’t rush through your work. The more haste, the worse speed.”
Hindi: “तुम बेहतर करोगे अगर तुम अपना काम जल्दी नहीं करोगे। जल्दबाजी में काम बिगड़ता है।”
In the Media:
English: “Instead of rushing into the merger, they decided to take their time, because the more haste, the worse speed.”
Hindi: “विलय में जल्दबाजी करने के बजाय, उन्होंने समय लिया क्योंकि जल्दबाजी में काम बिगड़ता है।”
When to Use the Idiom:
- When someone is rushing through an important task and not doing it properly.
- When giving advice to someone to take their time, instead of acting too quickly.
- To highlight that haste leads to problems or unintended mistakes.
Reflection Questions:
- Can you recall a time when rushing caused you to make mistakes?
- How can you apply “The more haste, the worse speed” to your current work or tasks?
🔁 Similar Expressions
English Idiom | Hindi Meaning |
---|---|
Haste makes waste | जल्दबाजी से नुकसान होता है |
Look before you leap | कूदने से पहले सोचो |
Patience is a virtue | धैर्य एक गुण है |
Slow and steady wins the race | धीरे-धीरे जीत मिलती है |