It is just like English sayings and phrases, there are Japanese sayings and phrases as well. It is called [kotowaza ことわざ].

Today’s kotowaza

石橋をたたいて渡る・Ishibashi o tataite wataru (Knocking a stone bridge before crossing it.)

The Origin

Although the stone bridge is solid, knocking to make sure its safety before crossing.

Its meaning

Ishibashi – a stone bridge

Tataku – to knock

Wataru – to cross

The is an example of being very couscous.

The opposite of this saying is that 危ない橋を渡る – abunai hashi o wataru (Cross the dangerous bridge) means to take a risk.

 Knocking a stone bridge before crossing it. Hear twice before you speak once

思いつきで動くお父さんに比べて、お母さんは石橋をたたいて渡る人だ。いざと言うときはお母さんが頼りになる。

Omoitsuki de ugoku oto san ni kurabete, oka san wa ishibash o tataite wataru hitoda. Iza to iutoki wa oka san ga tayorini naru..

My father takes action without thinking much, but my mother is a person who knock a stone bridge before crossing. When it comes to the crunch I can reply on my mother.

arigato