亡羊补牢 (wáng yáng bǔ láo) — (idiom) to take remedial action after a loss; better late than never
Definition
Chengyu meaning 'mend the pen after the sheep are lost' — taking action to fix a problem only after suffering a loss. Often used positively to urge late but worthwhile correction.
idiom
to take remedial action after a lossbetter late than never
Examples
- ,亡羊补牢,。Zhè cì kǎo shì méi kǎo hǎo, dàn wáng yáng bǔ láo, xià cì nǔ lì jiù hǎo le.I didn't do well on this exam, but it's never too late to fix things — I'll work hard next time.
- ,亡羊补牢。Gōng sī chū xiàn le yì xiē wèn tí, xiàn zài wáng yáng bǔ láo hái lái de jí.The company has run into some problems, but it's still not too late to take corrective action.
- ,亡羊补牢,。Bú yào huī xīn, wáng yáng bǔ láo, xiàn zài kāi shǐ gǎi biàn yě bù wǎn.Don't lose heart — it's never too late to change, so start now.
Appears in
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