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:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Gustave	goo-STAHV	French
Nathan	NAY-thən (English), na-TAWN (French)	English, French, Hebrew, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
Autumn	AW-təm	English
Aydan (2)	AY-dən	English (Modern)
FÚLvio	-	Portuguese (Brazilian)
Theresa	tə-REE-sə (English), tə-RAY-zə (English), te-RE-zah (German)	English, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish