run before you can walk

run before you can walk

To (attempt to) perform complex tasks before mastering the fundamental ones. The phrase is usually used as a reminder that one must first learn the basics, but it can also be used as an encouragement to do things outside of one's comfort zone. I think you need to learn how to balance on that skateboard before you start trying tricks. Don't try to run before you can walk. In my beginner class, I like to send my students home to try some complex guitar riffs to see what they learn from it. Sometimes you need to run before you can walk.

See also: before, can, run, walk

run before you can walk

BRITISH

If you try to run before you can walk, you try to do something at an advanced level before you have learned how to do it at a basic level. They tried to run before they could walk. It was far too complicated. I was running before I could walk. So I decided to go to Europe to do a second apprenticeship, almost to start again.

See also: before, can, run, walk

(try to) run before you can walk

attempt something difficult before you have grasped the basic skills required.

See also: before, can, run, walk

(try to) run before you can ˈwalk

(informal) try to do something that is difficult before you have succeeded in doing something easy: The important thing about cooking is not to try and run before you can walk. Get the basics right and the rest will follow.

See also: before, can, run, walk