fix the roof while the sun is shining

verb

To deal with a problem or potential problem while conditions are favorable.

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Meanings

verbfix the roof while the sun is shining (third-person singular simple present fixes the roof while the sun is shining, present participle fixing the roof while the sun is shining, simple past and past participle fixed the roof while the sun was shining)

present singular third person fixes the roof while the sun is shining · participle present fixing the roof while the sun is shining · participle past fixed the roof while the sun was shining · past fixed the roof while the sun was shining

  1. idiomaticproverbialTo deal with a problem or potential problem while conditions are favorable.

    You state it well: we should fix the roof while the sun is shining, and expand our nuclear-electric generating capacity while interest rates are low

    1986, The Economist - Volume 299 - Page 4

Origin

From the notion that it is easier and more beneficial to fix a roof during dry rather than wet weather.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

fix the roof while the sun is shining. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fix%20the%20roof%20while%20the%20sun%20is%20shining

MLA

“fix the roof while the sun is shining.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fix%20the%20roof%20while%20the%20sun%20is%20shining. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “fix the roof while the sun is shining,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fix%20the%20roof%20while%20the%20sun%20is%20shining.

Source: fix the roof while the sun is shining on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.