check yourself before you wreck yourself

phrase

Consider the consequences of your actions before you end up in trouble.

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Meanings

phrase
  1. colloquialConsider the consequences of your actions before you end up in trouble.

Origin

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."

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Spanish controlarse, considerar las consecuencias
  • controlarseTranslations
  • considerar las consecuenciasTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

check yourself before you wreck yourself. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/check%20yourself%20before%20you%20wreck%20yourself

MLA

“check yourself before you wreck yourself.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/check%20yourself%20before%20you%20wreck%20yourself. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “check yourself before you wreck yourself,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/check%20yourself%20before%20you%20wreck%20yourself.

Source: check yourself before you wreck yourself on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.