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if it ain't broke don't fix it

Idioms  
  1. 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.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

There are those who say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

From BBC Mar. 24, 2025

Anderson’s point is, simply, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

From Seattle Times Dec. 7, 2023

I figure, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 4, 2022

That worked just fine for years and if you remember the old saying: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

From Washington Times Sep. 3, 2015

On the online forum, angry shoppers called on Waitrose to bring the old website back, with CheshireCat saying: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

From The Guardian Mar. 23, 2011

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