sooner the better, the

Idioms

As quickly or early as possible, as in As for stopping that check, the sooner the better. This idiom was first recorded in 1477.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The sooner the better," the Very Young Man added.

From The Girl in the Golden Atom by Cummings, Ray

"Why, yes—as soon as convenient—the sooner the better," the other man replied easily.

From White Ashes by Kennedy, Sidney R. (Sidney Robinson)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023