first catch your hare
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Make sure you have a thing before you decide what to do with it.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Have you never thought of marrying again? […] Mr. Gibson had thought of this advice several times since it was given; but it was a case of "first catch your hare." Where was the "sensible and agreeable woman of thirty or so?"
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “first catch your hare” mean?
Make sure you have a thing before you decide what to do with it.
Is “first catch your hare” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.