close the stable door after the horse has bolted



close the stable door after the horse has bolted

To try to prevent or rectify a problem after the damage has already been done. It isn't worth replacing the oil filter on the engine now—you can't close the stable door after the horse has bolted.
See also: after, bolt, close, door, horse, stable

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Afzal-Arabic
Naveen-Indian, Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam
Teja-Slovene
Zsolt-Hungarian
Atse-Frisian
Josselin-French