English / proverb
If All You've Got Is a Hammer, Everything Looks Like a Nail
MEANING IN ENGLISH
Having only one familiar tool or mindset causes a person to treat every problem as if it requires that single approach.
In context
01
The administrator tried to solve every interpersonal conflict with punitive fines; if all you've got is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
02
Do not treat every technical setback solely with brute computation, because if all you've got is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
Synonyms
law of the instrument,cognitive bias,narrow perspective
Antonyms
versatile problem-solving,broad toolkit,adaptable mindset
Collocations
remember if all you've got,beware if all you've got,trap where if all