it's better to ask forgiveness than permission

proverb

It is better to act decisively and apologize for it later than to seek approval to act and risk delay, objections, etc.

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Meanings

proverb

alternative it's easier to ask forgiveness than to get permission

  1. It is better to act decisively and apologize for it later than to seek approval to act and risk delay, objections, etc.
Cite this entry
APA

it's better to ask forgiveness than permission. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/it's%20better%20to%20ask%20forgiveness%20than%20permission

MLA

“it's better to ask forgiveness than permission.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/it's%20better%20to%20ask%20forgiveness%20than%20permission. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “it's better to ask forgiveness than permission,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/it's%20better%20to%20ask%20forgiveness%20than%20permission.

Source: it's better to ask forgiveness than permission on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.