mettre la charrue avant les bœufs

French

Etymology

Literally, “to put the cart before the oxen”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mɛ.tʁə la ʃa.ʁy a.vɑ̃ le bø/

• Audio:

  (file)

Verb

mettre la charrue avant les bœufs

1. (figuratively) to put the cart before the horse (to put things in the wrong order or with the wrong priorities; to put something inconsequential as more important than something more essential)

See also

• aller plus vite que la musique
• il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l’ours avant de l’avoir tué