호미로 막을 것을 가래로 막는다

Literal Meaning

Use a long-handled shovel to stop something that could have been stopped with a short-handled spade.

Usage

Used to lament putting off dealing with a problem, which gave it time to go from a small problem to a big one.

A 호미 is a short-handled spade with a curved and pointed blade. A 가래 is a long-handled shovel with a pointed blade. The proverb implies that it is better weed a garden when the weeds are young whether than waiting for them to get bigger and stonger.

Korean Equivalent

적은 힘을 들여서 해결할 수 있는 일을 기회를 놓쳐 큰 힘을 들이게 된다.

English Equivalent

A stitch in time saves nine.