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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.

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

Perhaps the coach is also of the opinion that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

From The Guardian • Dec. 6, 2018

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

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