reinvent the wheel

Idioms  

1. Do something again, from the beginning, especially in a needless or inefficient effort, as in School committees need not reinvent the wheel every time they try to improve the curriculum. This expression alludes to the invention of a simple but very important device that requires no improvement. [Second half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

When the Englishman, who had been the side's defensive specialist since 2016, took on the job from his former boss Schmidt after the 2019 World Cup, there was no abrupt attempt to reinvent the wheel.

From BBC • Jul. 15, 2024

“China does not seek to change the current international order, still less reinvent the wheel by creating a new international order,” Liu said.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 12, 2024

“You’re not going to reinvent the wheel in a matter of a week,” Odom said.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2023

For a sophisticated dessert, it’s not always necessary to reinvent the wheel.

From Washington Times • May 4, 2023

“That’s the beauty of research — many times it’s much easier to collaborate and help each other in different projects than to reinvent the wheel all the time.”

From New York Times • Apr. 8, 2023