Etymology

check yourself before you wreck yourself

Today it means: Consider the consequences of your actions before you end up in trouble. Full definition →

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The story

Chosen for the rhyme. Cliche made popularized by the song "Check Yo Self" (1993) by hip hop artist Ice Cube. Older sources include Dion's Song "Two Ton Feather" (1966) with the lyric "Check yourself, don't wreck yourself."

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.