an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
phrase
US
—used to say that it is better and easier to stop a problem, illness, etc., from happening than to stop or correct it after it has started
Cite this Entry
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/an%20ounce%20of%20prevention%20is%20worth%20a%20pound%20of%20cure. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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