be just before you're generous

be just before you're generous

Fulfill your duties before engaging in fun activities. This phrase is often used to refer to financial matters. Put some of your paycheck in savings right away—be just before you're generous. You need to clean your room before you go out with your friends. Be just before you're generous. Did you finish your book report? Go on, be just before you’re generous—you can play video games later.

See also: before, generous, just

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Be just before you're generous.

Prov. Do what you ought to do before you do things that you want to do; pay your debts before you give money away. Jill: It's payday! I can't wait to go out and buy my niece that nice toy train set for her birthday. Jane: But, Jill, we have bills to pay. Be just before you're generous.

See also: before, generous, just

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.