A bald head is soon shaven.
A bald head is soon shaven.
Meaning in plain English
A task is soon finished when little remains to be done. The bald-head image emphasises the small amount of work, rather than establishing that quick completion proves unusual skill or that appearances reveal a person’s abilities.
Example
A volunteer finishes a display quickly because the photographs and labels were prepared earlier, and credits that preparation when the team discusses the work.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The head is pictured as already having little hair left to remove, so the remaining task seems brief. Figuratively, an undertaking may be completed quickly because much of its work has already been done or its scope is limited. The saying can draw attention to that starting point when speed is being praised without context. It does not require mocking someone’s appearance or dismissing careful work merely because it was short. A useful comparison asks what remained, what preparation preceded it and whether the result serves its purpose. The expression describes an easy remaining task, not a measure of a person’s worth or competence.
When to use it
Use it when a short completion time needs to be understood in relation to the work remaining.
Keep in mind
The image is not a judgement of appearance, ability or personal worth; consider preparation and scope.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-03. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 61 · Bald head
Read the original context ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · historical anthology
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Public domain (United States)
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗