Look before you leap

Cultural  

1. We should know what we are getting into before we commit ourselves.

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look before you leap Idioms  

1. Think of the consequences before you act, as in You'd better check out all the costs before you buy a cellular phone—look before you leap. This expression alludes to Aesop's fable about the fox who is unable to climb out of a well and persuades a goat to jump in. The fox then climbs on the goat's horns to get out, while the goat remains trapped. [c. 1350]

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Example Sentences

Look before you leap, however.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, you’ll need to look before you leap when buying raw land or a developed vacant building lot.

From Seattle Times

Guess the cliche “Look before you leap” deserves a lifetime contract.

From Washington Post

This is why you look before you leap.

From Fox News

Look before you leap, and then look again in the mirror, media people.

From Los Angeles Times