if you're in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging

if you're in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging

If you're in a bad situation, stop doing things that will prolong or worsen it. A: "We need to change how we're doing business around here if we want to avoid bankruptcy." B: "Right. If you're in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging." A: "Look, I wasn't trying to be offensive, but what I meant was—" B: "Tom, you're just making it worse. If you're in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging." Dude, you're annoying everyone—just stop talking! If you're in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging, geez.

See also: dig, first, if, stop, thing, to

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