This is a traditional proverb, or 'refrán', part of the vast collection of Spanish folk wisdom. These sayings were passed down orally for centuries as a way to share practical advice about life, work, and human nature before widespread literacy.

Proverbs like this are deeply ingrained in Spanish-speaking cultures. They reflect a practical, sometimes stoic, approach to life's challenges. Using it shows an understanding of cultural attitudes towards problem-solving: it's better to be decisive and face problems head-on than to delay the inevitable.

The power of this proverb lies in its concise, metaphorical structure. 'Mal paso' (bad step) is a vivid metaphor for any difficult situation, from a minor unpleasant task to a major life challenge. 'Darle prisa' (give it haste) is a direct, actionable command. This simple cause-and-effect structure makes it memorable and easy to apply.