Meaning of the word "he that will not when he may, when he will he may have nay" in English

What does "he that will not when he may, when he will he may have nay" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

he that will not when he may, when he will he may have nay

US /hi ðæt wɪl nɑt wen hi meɪ, wen hi wɪl hi meɪ hæv neɪ/
UK /hiː ðæt wɪl nɒt wen hiː meɪ, wen hiː wɪl hiː meɪ hæv neɪ/
"he that will not when he may, when he will he may have nay" picture

Idiom

if you do not take an opportunity when it is available, you may not be able to take it later when you want to

Example:
I should have bought that house last year; he that will not when he may, when he will he may have nay.
Don't wait too long to accept the job offer, for he that will not when he may, when he will he may have nay.