What Does "Close the Stable Door after the Horse Has Bolted" Mean?
"Close the stable door after the horse has bolted" is an English idiom. It means "to try to prevent or rectify a problem after the damage has already been done."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "close the stable door after the horse has bolted" used in a sentence:- Implementing a new security system after the breach is like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
- She only started eating healthy after her health scare, which is a bit like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
- Updating the software after the data loss seems like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Close the Stable Door after the Horse Has Bolted" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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