check yourself before you wreck yourself

English

Etymology

Chosen for the rhyme. Cliche made popularized by the song "Check Yo Self" (1993) by hip hop artist Ice Cube. Older sources include Dion's Song "Two Ton Feather" (1966) with the lyric "Check yourself, don't wreck yourself."

Phrase

check yourself before you wreck yourself

  1. (colloquial) Consider the consequences of your actions before you end up in trouble.