if it ain't broke, don't fix it en · X
Etymology
Attested since c. 1962, originally Southern United States English; popularized by T. Bert Lance in May 1977.
Meanings
-
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 is 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.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| if it ain't broken, don't fix it | alternative | lexicographic |
Coordinates
don’t mess with success · don’t change horses in midstream · let sleeping dogs lie · don’t change a winning team
Synonyms
leave well enough alone · if it works, it works · if it ain't busted, don't fix it · don't mess with success
Translations (17)
it finché la barca va, lasciala andare (leave something alone) · ja 角を矯めて牛を殺す (leave something alone) · uk не зла́мано - не ладна́й (leave something alone) · fi älä korjaa sitä, mikä ei ole rikki (leave something alone) · pt em time que está ganhando, não se mexe (leave something alone) · pl nie szukaj dziury w całym (leave something alone) · es si funciona, no lo toques (leave something alone) · he מה שעובד ־ לא נוגעים (leave something alone) · sv om det inte är trasigt, fixa det inte (leave something alone) · cmn 東西沒壞就別修它 /东西没坏就别修它 (leave something alone) · de repariere nichts, was nicht kaputt ist (leave something alone) · hi जो चीज़ खराब नहीं है उसे ठीक ना करें (leave something alone) · de ist es nicht hin, mach es nicht heil (leave something alone) · hu ha nincs baja, ne javítsd meg (leave something alone) · it cavallo che vince non si cambia (leave something alone) · he אם זה לא מקולקל, אל תתקן (leave something alone) · fr on ne change pas une équipe qui gagne (leave something alone)