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
Luanneloo-ANEnglish
Valda-Latvian
MarciaMAHR-shə (English), MAHR-see-ə (English), MAHR-thyah (Spanish), MAHR-syah (Latin American Spanish)English, Spanish, Ancient Roman
BayleeBAY-leeEnglish (Modern)
Tova (2)-Swedish
Zbignev-Medieval Slavic