if it ain't broke, don't fix it
(Redirected from if it ain't broke don't fix it)
English
editAlternative forms
editEtymology
editAttested since c. 1962,[1] originally Southern United States English; popularized by T. Bert Lance in May 1977.[2]
Proverb
editif it ain't broke, don't fix it
- It is wise to leave something alone and to 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
editCoordinate terms
edit- don’t change a winning team
- don’t change horses in midstream
- don’t mess with success
- let sleeping dogs lie
Translations
editleave something alone
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References
edit- ^ Title of article in Combat Crew magazine, May 1962. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Combat_Crew/2gk-2rP34LIC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22if+it+ain%27t+broke,+don%27t+fix+it%22&pg=RA17-PA15&printsec=frontcover (mention in end-of-year index). A republication of the article in Aerospace Accident and Maintenance magazine, Sept 1962, is available online: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Aerospace_Accident_and_Maintenance_Revie/Hhw8QPtdO1YC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22if+it+ain%27t+broke,+don%27t+fix+it%22&pg=RA8-PP2&printsec=frontcover
- ^ Gary Martin (1997–) “If-it-aint-broke-dont-fix-it”, in The Phrase Finder.