if it ain't broke, don't fix it
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English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Attested since at least the 1970s, originally Southern United States English; popularized by T. Bert Lance in May 1977.[1]
Proverb[edit]
if it ain't broke, don't fix it
- Leave something alone; avoid attempting to correct, fix, or improve what is already sufficient (often with an implication that the attempted improvement is risky and might backfire).
- I know it’s an ugly-looking antenna, but it gets the job done, and if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Synonyms[edit]
Coordinate terms[edit]
- don’t change a winning team
- don’t change horses in midstream
- don’t mess with success
- let sleeping dogs lie
Translations[edit]
leave something alone
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References[edit]
- ^ Gary Martin (1997–), “If-it-aint-broke-dont-fix-it”, in The Phrase Finder.