proverb · Words worth keeping
A small leak will sink a great ship.
A small leak will sink a great ship.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
A small unresolved problem can undermine a much larger undertaking. The leak and ship emphasise consequences that grow if ignored, without claiming that every minor fault will become disastrous or needs the same response.
Example
A reading group corrects an incorrect meeting link before circulating its invitation again, preventing a small administrative mistake from disrupting the whole event.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The small leak is set against the great ship to show why a problem’s initial size may not reflect its eventual importance. Applied figuratively, a neglected defect can keep creating trouble until it damages an otherwise strong project or arrangement. The warning encourages checking consequences and dealing with significant faults early. It does not demand alarm about every imperfection. Some issues remain limited, while others affect dependencies or continue to accumulate. A useful response considers what the defect can change, how likely that is and which repair is proportionate. The proverb is a prompt for attention, not a technical rule for maintaining boats.
When to use it
Use it when a modest-looking fault could keep affecting a larger effort.
Keep in mind
Assess actual consequences and respond proportionately; not every small defect threatens the whole undertaking.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown
- Culture
- English