A stitch in time saves nine

Proverbial Meaning: Acting on a new task or problem straight away will be less work than if one left it until later.

Literal Origins: A rip in a garment may only require a couple of stitches to fix, but the rip will grow and require more stitches if it is left unstitched.

Common Usage: The proverb is very well known, but not in common verbal usage. It is mostly considered the kind of thing one’s grandparents might say, where the younger receivers of the advice would probably not understand the meaning.