What does “The more haste, the less speed.” mean?

"The more haste, the less speed" means that rushing through something may cause mistakes or slow down the process.

What context can I use the in?

Example

I know you're in a hurry, but remember that the more haste, the less speed. Take your time and do it right.

Example

She thought she could finish the project faster by rushing, but the more haste, the less speed. She ended up making more mistakes and taking longer.

Example

He was so eager to finish the race quickly, but the more haste, the less speed. He tripped and fell, losing valuable time

Is “The more haste, the less speed.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“The more haste, the less speed.” 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 “The more haste, the less speed.” effectively in context?

You can use "The more haste, the less speed" to caution someone against rushing through a task or activity. It emphasizes the idea that when we try to do something quickly without paying attention to details, we often end up making mistakes or slowing down the overall process. For example, if a friend is in a rush to complete a project, you might say, 'Remember, the more haste, the less speed. Take your time and do it right.'

1Work
She thought she could finish the project faster by rushing, but the more haste, the less speed. She ended up making more mistakes and taking longer.
2Personal Life
He was so eager to finish the race quickly, but the more haste, the less speed. He tripped and fell, losing valuable time.
3Academics
I know you're in a hurry, but remember that the more haste, the less speed. Take your time and do it right.

Similar phrases to “The more haste, the less speed.”:

Slow and steady wins the race

Taking one's time and being consistent leads to better results in the long run

Example

He may not be the fastest, but he believes in 'slow and steady wins the race.'

Measure twice, cut once

Taking the time to double-check before taking action prevents mistakes

Example

Before making any decisions, it's important to 'measure twice, cut once.'

Haste makes waste

Rushing through something often leads to mistakes or inefficiency

Example

She learned the hard way that 'haste makes waste' when she had to redo her work.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “The more haste, the less speed.” come from?

The origin of the phrase "The more haste, the less speed" is unknown.

Is “The more haste, the less speed.” common in everyday conversation?

"The more haste, the less speed" is not as commonly used in everyday conversation compared to other proverbs or idioms. However, it is still recognized and understood by native English speakers.

What tone does “The more haste, the less speed.” have?

"The more haste, the less speed" conveys a tone of caution and wisdom. It is often used to advise against rushing and encourage carefulness and attention to detail.

Can “The more haste, the less speed.” be used in informal and formal settings?

"The more haste, the less speed" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a proverb that conveys a universal truth and can be applied to various situations. You can use it in conversations with friends, family, colleagues, as well as in professional or academic contexts.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

"The more haste, the less speed" is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'She thought she could finish the project faster, but the more haste, the less speed.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the proverb even if used alone, like saying 'Remember, the more haste, the less speed.' to imply the need for patience and carefulness.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

hurry up
quick and efficient
time is of the essence
act swiftly
make haste