while the grass grows, the steed starves

proverb

In the process of trying to achieve something, one's aspirations may be realized too late.

OriginLatin dum gramen crescit, equus in moriendo quiescit →
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Meanings

proverb
  1. In the process of trying to achieve something, one's aspirations may be realized too late.

Origin

  1. Latindum gramen crescit, equus in moriendo quiescit“while the grass grows, the horse lies dying”
  2. Englishwhile the grass grows, the steed starves

From Latin dum gramen crescit, equus in moriendo quiescit (“while the grass grows, the horse lies dying”).

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

while the grass grows, the steed starves. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/while%20the%20grass%20grows%2C%20the%20steed%20starves

MLA

“while the grass grows, the steed starves.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/while%20the%20grass%20grows%2C%20the%20steed%20starves. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “while the grass grows, the steed starves,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/while%20the%20grass%20grows%2C%20the%20steed%20starves.

Source: while the grass grows, the steed starves on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.