the early bird catches the worm

Syllable breakdown

Dictionary meaning

those who start earlier, act faster, or prepare in advance gain advantages over those who delay; the image of a bird that rises early enough to find worms before other birds have depleted the supply captures the first-mover advantage that attaches to timeliness and diligence in competitive situations; the proverb is used to encourage prompt action, early preparation, and the discipline to begin work before it is immediately necessary, and is particularly invoked in competitive contexts where limited resources or opportunities go to whoever arrives first