prendre la balle au bond

Prendre l’occasion aux cheveux.\nCompare: “Rem tibi quam nosces, aptam dimittere noli; Fronte capillata post est Occasio calva.” - Cato , Distichs, ii. 26.\n“Her lockes, that loathly were and hoarie grey, Grew all afore, and loosely hong unrold, But all behind was bald, and worne away That none thereof could ever taken hold.” - Spenser , Faerie Queene, ii. 4, 4.\n“Occasion turneth a bald noddle after she hath presented her locks in front and no hold taken.” - Bacon , Essays, xxi.\n“Remember the old adage and make use o’t, Occasion’s bald behind.” - Massinger , Guardian, iv. 1.