it's easier to ask forgiveness than to get permission

A form of it's better to ask forgiveness than permission — 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
  1. alternativeAlternative form of it's better to ask forgiveness than permission.
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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