proverb · Words worth keeping
Always leave a little room for a mistake.
Always leave a little room for a mistake.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Leaving room for a mistake asks for an allowance rather than assuming perfect performance. It encourages considering uncertainty in an undertaking.
Example
A planner allows an appropriate opportunity to review and correct work instead of assuming no adjustment will be needed.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Room is a margin image, not permission to be careless or conceal harm. The supplied gloss says not to carry a mistake to the end, a different emphasis. A useful interpretation asks what review, support or contingency the actual task needs without claiming that one fixed allowance suits everything.
When to use it
Use it to discuss proportionate allowance for error with responsibility retained.
Keep in mind
No permission for negligence or universal contingency amount is established.
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