Example: Il ne faut pas mettre la charrue avant les bœufs en planifiant un projet.
Definition
"Mettre la charrue avant les bœufs" is a French expression meaning to do things in the wrong order, especially starting a task before preparing the necessary steps. For example, it warns against planning a project without first organizing essential details.
Translations
To put the cart before the horse
Empezar la casa por el tejado
Het paard achter de wagen spannen
Començar la casa per la teulada
Das Pferd von hinten aufzäumen
Etymology
The phrase "Mettre la charrue avant les bœufs" literally translates to 'putting the cart before the oxen.' It originates from traditional farming practices where oxen always pull the plow. Doing the opposite would be ineffective, symbolizing misguided priorities. Did you know this metaphor vividly illustrates the folly of reversed order?
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"Mettre la charrue avant les bœufs" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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To put the cart before the horse