Delays are dangerous.

Waiting to act can make a problem harder to solve or allow an opportunity to disappear. Time itself may increase the cost of inaction.

The saying encourages prompt action when a decision matters. It does not imply that every pause is harmful; its force lies in warning against delay when delay has consequences.

Use this proverb to urge someone to address a time-sensitive matter rather than postpone it. It suits situations where waiting could narrow their options or make an existing problem worse.