English Explanatory Dictionary

if it ain't broke, don't fix it

English dictionary entry

Meanings

proverb
  1. 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).

Word forms

if it ain't broke, don't fix it if it ain't broken, don't fix it

Etymology

Attested since c. 1962, originally Southern United States English; popularized by T. Bert Lance in May 1977.

Synonyms

don't mess with success if it ain't busted, don't fix it leave well enough alone if it works, it works
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