The same as saying, "First things first"; asserts that there is a certain order in which things happen and that the listener should consider that before going forward (outside of that order) regarding the matter at hand
Etymology:
- Putting the cart in front of the horse wouldn't work since the point of having the horse is to pull the cart. The horse can't very well pull a cart that is in front of him.
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Buying car mats before you buy a car
Submitted on September 07, 2020
Modified by TriplePurple on December 01, 2023
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Nearby phrases
Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to don't put your cart before the horse
don't answer me so snippilydon't ask, don't tell, don't harass, do…dark horsedon't be penny wise and pound foolishDon't Count Your Chickens before They H…don't ask, don't telldon't throw the baby out with the …don't buy green bananasDark-Horse Candidatedon't bite the hand that feeds youdon't bite the hand that feeds youdark horsedon't bite the newbiecut one's losses
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"don't put your cart before the horse." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 22 Jan. 2025. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/don't-put-your-cart-before-the-horse_62402>.
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