for want of a nail the shoe was lost, for want of a shoe the horse was lost, an’ for want of
a horse the man was lost—aw, that’s a darlin’ proverb, a daarlin’. 1979 M. McCARTHY
Missionaries & Cannibals viii. No detail.. was too small to be passed over. .. ‘For want of
a nail,’ as the proverb said. 1995 National Review 12 June 10 For want of nail the battle
was lost. Well, Republicans may have found just the right nail to win the entitlement
battle. action and consequence; great and smallIf you WANT something done, ask a busy personThe rationale behind this apparent paradox is indicated in quot. 1997.1984 Christian Science Monitor 26 Oct. 38 It means. specifically, that you must
banish all idleness; and it also means, in a general way, that if you want something done,
you should ask a busy person—like me—to do it. 1997 Life Association News Aug. 60
It’s the old story: If you want something done, ask a busy person. They know how to
manage their time. 1998 Times 9 Jan. 33 They do say that if you want something done
you should ask a busy person, but there must be limits. efficiency and inefficiencywant see also (noun) WILFUL waste makes woeful want; (verb) the MORE you get, the
more you want; if you want PEACE, you must prepare for war; WASTE not, want not.
WANTON kittens make sober cats1732 T. FULLER Gnomologia no. 5415 Wanton [frolicsome] Kitlins may make
sober old Cats. 1832 A. HENDERSON Scottish Proverbs 97 Wanton kittens make douce
[sedate] cats. 1855 H. G. BOHN Hand-Book of Proverbs 551 Wanton kittens may make
sober cats. 1975 J. O’FAOLAIN Women in Wall I. I was fleshy..in my youth. Carnal. But
wanton kittens make sober cats. youthwar see BUSINESS is war; COUNCILS of war never fight; all’s FAIR in love and war;
when GREEK meets Greek, then comes the tug of war; if you want PEACE, you must prepare
for war; TRUTH is the first casualty of war.
warling (one who is despised or disliked): see BETTER be an old man’s darling, than a
young man’s slave.
warm see COLD hands, warm heart.