a cure worse than the ailment
1. Literally, any drug, surgery, procedure, etc., used to cure or mitigate a disease or ailment that ultimately leads to worse symptoms than the original condition caused or might have caused. While the drug has proven to be effective in combating the ailment, it has also been shown to ravage the body in other, more devastating ways. It seems at this point like a cure worse than the ailment. I dreaded starting chemotherapy because I'd heard it was a cure worse than the ailment. Paul had to rehab for so long after his knee replacement surgery that it began to feel like a cure worse than the ailment.
2. By extension, a solution to a problem or crisis that leads to worse conditions overall than the original problem did or would have. The board of directors' plan to deal with the economic downturn is to reduce the entire company to a skeleton crew. I know drastic action needs to be taken, but we want to make sure this isn't a cure worse than the ailment! I know you want to stimulate the financial sector, but repealing federal regulations would be a cure worse than the ailment. Yeah, personal bankruptcy is an option, but with how much that affects your credit score for years to come, it might just be a cure worse than the ailment.
a cure worse than the disease
1. Literally, any drug, surgery, procedure, etc., used to cure or mitigate a disease or ailment that ultimately leads to worse symptoms than the original condition caused or might have caused. While the drug has proven to be effective in combating the disease, it has also been shown to ravage the body in other, more devastating ways. It seems at this point like a cure worse than the disease. I dreaded starting chemotherapy because I'd heard it was a cure worse than the disease. Paul had to rehab for so long after his knee replacement surgery that it began to feel like a cure worse than the disease.
2. By extension, a solution to a problem or crisis that leads to worse conditions overall than the original problem did or would have. The board of directors' plan to deal with the economic downturn is to reduce the entire company to a skeleton crew. I know drastic action needs to be taken, but we want to make sure this isn't a cure worse than the disease! I know you want to stimulate the financial sector, but repealing federal regulations would be a cure worse than the disease. Yeah, personal bankruptcy is an option, but with how much that affects your credit score for years to come, it might just be a cure worse than the disease.
an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure
proverb Working to stop something from happening is easier and more effective than trying to resolve or recover from it later. Unless you want to be violently ill for days, get the flu shot now—an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, you know. Councilor, I am of the firm belief that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, and investing in social and educational programs has been proven to be more effective at reducing crime than simply strengthening the police force to combat it! My husband is sick, so I've increased my vitamin C intake. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, or so they say.
an ounce of prevention is better than an ounce of cure
proverb Working to stop something from happening is easier and more effective than trying to resolve or recover from it later. Unless you want to be violently ill for days, get the flu shot now—an ounce of prevention is better than an ounce of cure, you know. Councilor, I am of the firm belief that an ounce of prevention is better than a ounce of cure, and investing in social and educational programs has been proven to be more effective at reducing crime than simply strengthening the police force to combat it! My husband is sick, so I've increased my vitamin C intake. An ounce of prevention is better than an ounce of cure, or so they say.
an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
proverb Working to stop something from happening is easier and more effective than trying to resolve or recover from it later. Unless you want to be violently ill for days, get the flu shot now—an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, you know. Councilor, I am of the firm belief that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and investing in social and educational programs has been proven to be more effective at reducing crime than simply strengthening the police force to combat it! My husband is sick, so I've increased my vitamin C intake. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, or so they say.
cure (someone or something) of (something)
1. To heal someone of something. That antibiotic cured Sam of his illness in just a few days. I really hope this new therapist can cure me of my compulsive behaviors. A: "The doctor says that your rash is 'contact dermatitis'? OK, so how does he cure you of that?" B: "It's simple—all I have to do is stop wearing the necklace that's causing the irritation."
2. To fix or repair a malfunctioning machine. Unfortunately, a few good smacks on the lid did not cure the washer of that dreadful noise. Listen, at this point, I don't even know if the mechanic can cure your car of those brake issues. A: "Whoa, I couldn't get the blender to work at all this morning—how did you cure it of its issues?" B: "I plugged it in."
kill or cure
Said of something that can only have one of two outcomes: very negative ("kill") or very positive ("cure"). We're all anxiously awaiting the dean's decision on grant money, as it will kill or cure our research.
past cure
Incurable or hopeless, especially of an illness that has a grim prognosis. We need to go see your grandmother tonight—the doctors believe that her condition is past cure.
prevention is better than cure
proverb Work to stop something from happening is easier and better than having to try to resolve it later. Unless you want to be violently ill for days, get the flu shot now—prevention is better than cure, you know.
sure cure
Something that is guaranteed to be an effective remedy for some ailment. Typically implies a treatment that is either figurative, alternative, or homemade. Here, drink this—it's a sure cure for a hangover. Arts and crafts projects are a sure cure for bored kids.
take the cure
To enter into a center or program designed to treat drug or alcohol addiction. I always seem to find my way back to heroin a month or two after taking the cure. My brother had to hit absolute rock bottom before he would agree to take the cure.
the cure is worse than the ailment
1. Literally, the drug, surgery, procedure, etc., used to cure or mitigate a disease or ailment ultimately leads to worse symptoms than the original condition caused or might have caused. While the drug has proven to be effective in combating the ailment, it has also been shown to ravage the body in other, more devastating ways. It seems at this point that the cure is worse than the ailment.
2. By extension, the solution to a problem or crisis leads to worse conditions overall than the original problem did or would have. Often used in negative constructions for rhetorical effect. The board of directors' plan to deal with the economic downturn is to reduce the entire company to a skeleton crew. I know drastic action needs to be taken, but we want to make sure the cure isn't worse than the ailment! I know you want to repeal federal regulations to stimulate the financial sector, but that will inevitably lead to gross misconduct throughout the industry. Sometimes the cure is worse than the ailment.
the cure is worse than the disease
1. Literally, the drug, surgery, procedure, etc., used to cure or mitigate a disease or ailment ultimately leads to worse symptoms than the original condition caused or might have caused. While the drug has proven to be effective in combating the disease, it has also been shown to ravage the body in other, more devastating ways. It seems at this point that the cure is worse than the disease.
2. By extension, the solution to a problem or crisis leads to worse conditions overall than the original problem did or would have. Often used in negative constructions for rhetorical effect. The board of directors' plan to deal with the economic downturn is to reduce the entire company to a skeleton crew. I know drastic action needs to be taken, but we want to make sure the cure isn't worse than the disease! I know you want to repeal federal regulations to stimulate the financial sector, but that will inevitably lead to gross misconduct throughout the industry. Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease.
the Dutch cure
The act of committing suicide when considered the cowardly response for one's ailment or woes. The disparaging use of the word "Dutch" is a reference to the fierce rivalry between England and the Dutch in the 17th century. After her daughter died, we were worried that Mary might be tempted to relieve her grief with the Dutch cure. I always told myself that if I were ever diagnosed with a terminal disease, I'd take the Dutch cure to end it all before life became too miserable.
what can't be cured must be endured
proverb One must simply learn to live with that which one is not able to resolve or improve. A: "I'm just really sick of working in this job, but there are just no other suitable job prospects in this part of the country." B: "Well, then, it sounds like you need to just suck it up. What can't be cured must be endured."
you can't cure stupid
slang Used to express one's frustration with or dismissal of someone that one believes is hopelessly stupid. A: "Why is that guy pulling on a door that's clearly marked 'push'?" B: "Because you can't cure stupid." Are you really throwing things to see if gravity is real? Wow, it's true—you really can't cure stupid. I don't bother responding to most of the idiots on this forum. You can't cure stupid.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
cure someone of something
to rid someone of a disease, ailment, bad habit, or obsession. I hope that the doctor prescribes something to cure him of that chronic cough. Will you please try to cure yourself of your constant interrupting?
cure something of something
to eliminate the cause of a malfunction in a machine or a device. (See also
cure someone of something.)
I think I have cured the stapler of jamming all the time. I can't seem to cure the committee of procrastination.ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
Prov. If you put in a little effort to prevent a problem, you will not have to put in a lot of effort to solve the problem. Brush your teeth every day; that way you won't have to go to the dentist to have cavities filled. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you get in the habit of being careful with your new stereo, chances are you won't break it and have to have it fixed later. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Prevention is better than cure.
Prov. It is better to try to keep a bad thing from happening than it is to fix the bad thing once it has happened. (See also An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.) If we spend more money on education, so that children learn to be responsible citizens, we won't have to spend so much money on prisons. Prevention is better than cure.
take the cure
to enter into any treatment program or treatment center. (Especially those dealing with drugs and alcohol.) I wanted to take the cure, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. It's hard to get those addicted to realize that they are the ones who have to decide to take the cure.
What can't be cured must be endured.
Prov. If you cannot do anything about a problem, you will have to live with it. Alan: No matter what I do, I can't make the dog stop barking in the middle of the night. Jane: What can't be cured must be endured, then, I guess.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.