Idioms

make (the) perfect the enemy of (the) good

make (the) perfect the enemy of (the) good

To allow the demand, desire, or insistence for perfection to decrease the chances of obtaining a good or favorable result in the end. (Usually used in the negative as an imperative.) I know you want your research paper to be great, but don't make perfect the enemy of good, or you won't even finish it in time! As a manager, you have to realize both the potential and the limits of your employees. Push them when necessary, but be sure not to make the perfect the enemy of the good.
See also: enemy, good, make, of, perfect
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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