if it ain't broke don't fix it
(redirected from if it's not broke, don't fix it)if it ain't broke, don't fix it
If something is performing or functioning well enough, there's no need to change or interfere with it (as you may introduce new problems as a result.) A: "We don't really need to implement these ridiculous changes, do we? Our current method is working just fine." B: "Right. If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Why do you have your tools out? Come on, man, the washing machine's fine, and if it ain't broke, then please don't fix it!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
if it ain't broke don't fix it
Don't meddle with something that's functioning adequately. For example, So long as they like our proposal let's not change it; if it ain't broke don't fix it . This folksy and deliberately ungrammatical expression dates from the mid-1900s. For a synonym, see leave well enough alone.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
if it ain't broke, don't fix it
INFORMALCOMMON You say if it ain't broke, don't fix it to mean that things should only be changed if there are problems with them. With regard to proposals for some grand reorganization of the intelligence community: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. And I believe it is not broke. Note: You can also say isn't broken instead of ain't broke and why fix it? instead of don't fix it. Her outlook is `If it isn't broken, why fix it?' She puts up with a lot I wouldn't tolerate. Note: The word `ain't' is a form of `isn't' which is used in informal or non-standard English. The first recorded use of this modern proverb is by the American Bert Lance, President Carter's Director of the Office of Management and Budget (1977). He was referring to governmental reorganization.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
if it ain’t ˈbroke, don’t ˈfix it
used to say that if something is satisfactory and works well, it should not be changed: Why do they keep suggesting ‘improvements’ when everything’s working perfectly? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it
and IIABDFI sent. & comp. abb. Leave well enough alone.; Don’t tamper with something that is all right as it is. It’s fine. Leave it alone. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
if it ain't broke don't fix it
See leave well enough alone.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer