take preventive measures before disaster strikes; also said as 防患于未然
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb phrase
to take preventive measures before a disaster or accident happens
formalThis four-character idiom emphasizes proactive prevention rather than reactive solutions. It is often used in formal contexts related to safety, health, or risk management. The variant form is 防患于未然.
Gōng公
sī司
dìng定
qī期
jiǎn检
chá查
xiāo消
fáng防
shè设
bèi备
，
shì是
wèi为
le了
fáng防
huàn患
wèi未
rán然
。
The company regularly inspects firefighting equipment to take preventive measures before any incident occurs.
Xùn汛
qī期
zhī之
qián前
jiā加
gù固
dī堤
bà坝
，
zhè这
shì是
fáng防
huàn患
wèi未
rán然
de的
míng明
zhì智
zhī之
jǔ举
。
Strengthening the dikes before the flood season is a wise move to prevent problems in advance.
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Wèi为
le了
yuán员
gōng工
de的
ān安
quán全
，
wǒ我
men们
bì必
xū须
fáng防
huàn患
wèi未
rán然
，
zhì制
dìng定
yán严
gé格
de的
cāo操
zuò作
guī规
chéng程
。
For the safety of our employees, we must take preventive action and establish strict operating procedures.
Zhèng政
fǔ府
tóu投
zī资
gōng公
gòng共
wèi卫
shēng生
tǐ体
xì系
，
zhèng正
shì是
fáng防
huàn患
wèi未
rán然
de的
biǎo表
xiàn现
。
The government's investment in the public health system is precisely a manifestation of preventive action.