hesitate



He who hesitates is lost.

Prov. People should act decisively. Jill: Should I apply for that job? At first I thought I definitely should, but now I don't know.... Jane: She who hesitates is lost. Call that girl and ask her out. Call her right now. He who hesitates is lost.
See also: he, hesitate, lost, who

hesitate over something

to pause before acting on something; to suspend action about someone or something. We are hesitating over the final decision because we have some doubts about the competitors. Do not hesitate too long over this matter.
See also: hesitate

If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask.

a polite phrase offering help in finding something or by providing something. (Often said by a host or by someone helping someone settle into something. See also If you don't see what you want, please ask (for it).) Mary: This looks very nice. I'll be quite comfortable here. Jane: If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask. "If there is anything you need, don't hesitate to ask," said the room clerk.
See also: anything, ask, hesitate, if

he who hesitates is lost

One who cannot come to a decision will suffer for it, as in I couldn't make up my mind, and now the offer has expired-he who hesitates is lost. Although the idea is undoubtedly older, the present wording is a misquotation or an adaptation from Joseph Addison's play Cato (1712): "The woman that deliberates is lost."
See also: he, hesitate, lost, who

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
PattyPAT-eeEnglish
Arnatt['a:nət]
Dell[del]
Sadie['seidi]
Halley['hæli]
Amardeep-Indian (Sikh)