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To leave a situation alone so as to avoid worsening it. Oh, don't mention that fight they had months ago—let sleeping dogs lie! See also: dog, let, lie, sleep. Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved. Let sleeping dogs lie. Prov. Do not instigate trouble.; Leave something alone if it might cause trouble.
Idiom: Let sleeping dogs lie. Meaning: If someone is told to let sleeping dogs lie, it means that they shouldn't disturb a situation as it would result in trouble or complications. Country: International English | Subject Area: Animals | Usage Type: Both or All Words Used. Contributor: Richard Flynn.
Meaning of the phrase: -allow dormant issues or problems remain so. ·. Origin of the phrase: If you disturb a sleeping dog it may bite you. So, unless you enjoy being bitten by dog, it may be a good idea to just let sleeping dogs lie where they are.
Let sleeping dogs lies is an idiom that has existed since at least the 1300s, with cognates in several languages, including German and French. Meaning. When we say “let sleeping dogs lie” we mean to not bring up problems that will themselves bring up even bigger problems. In other words, we are saying to not stir things up.
Let sleeping dogs lie. Do not stir up a problem that has lain quiet for some time. Discover More. Idioms and Phrases. Allow inactive problems to remain so, as in Jane knew she should report the accident but decided to let sleeping dogs lie . This injunction to avoid stirring up trouble was already a proverb in the 13th century.
Apr 30, 2024 · to let well enough alone; not disturb things as they are for fear of something worse. See full dictionary entry for dog. Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved. let sleeping dogs lie in American English.
Origin of: Let sleeping dogs lie. Let sleeping dogs lie. This is a very old proverb meaning do not stir up unnecessary trouble, In the 1300s, Geoffrey Chaucer wrote, “It is nought good a sleeping hound to wake.”
