What does “If you want a thing well done, do it yourself.” mean?
"If you want a thing well done, do it yourself" means that if you want a task or job done correctly, you must do it yourself. Relying on others may result in the job not being done to your satisfaction.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I've learned that if you want a thing well done, do it yourself. Whenever I delegate tasks, they never turn out the way I want.
Example
She always complains about the quality of work done by others. I keep telling her, if you want a thing well done, do it yourself.
Example
He's a perfectionist who believes that if you want a thing well done, do it yourself. He rarely trusts others to complete tasks to his standards
Is “If you want a thing well done, do it yourself.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“If you want a thing well done, do it yourself.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “If you want a thing well done, do it yourself.” effectively in context?
You can use "If you want a thing well done, do it yourself." to emphasize the importance of taking personal responsibility for a task or job. It suggests that relying on others may result in the job not being done to your satisfaction. For example, if a friend is frustrated with the quality of work done by others, you might say, 'If you want a thing well done, do it yourself.'
- 1Delegating Tasks
I've learned that if you want a thing well done, do it yourself. Whenever I delegate tasks, they never turn out the way I want.
- 2Expressing Frustration
She always complains about the quality of work done by others. I keep telling her, if you want a thing well done, do it yourself.
- 3Perfectionism
He's a perfectionist who believes that if you want a thing well done, do it yourself. He rarely trusts others to complete tasks to his standards.
Similar phrases to “If you want a thing well done, do it yourself.”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “If you want a thing well done, do it yourself.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "If you want a thing well done, do it yourself." is unknown.
Is “If you want a thing well done, do it yourself.” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "If you want a thing well done, do it yourself." is a common proverb that is often used in everyday conversation. It conveys the idea that taking personal responsibility for a task is the best way to ensure its successful completion.
What tone does “If you want a thing well done, do it yourself.” have?
"If you want a thing well done, do it yourself." conveys a tone of self-reliance and determination. It suggests that relying on others may lead to disappointment, and emphasizes the importance of taking control and doing things on your own.
Can “If you want a thing well done, do it yourself.” be used in informal and formal settings?
The proverb "If you want a thing well done, do it yourself." can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a widely recognized saying that conveys a universal truth about personal responsibility. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional correspondence.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'She realized that if she wanted the project to be done properly, she had to do it herself.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the proverb even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "do it yourself"!' to imply the need for personal action.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- self-reliance
- personal responsibility
- taking matters into your own hands
- being proactive
- being in control
Antonyms
- delegate
- collaborate
- teamwork
- trust others
- share the workload
