Sayings

If it ain't broke, don't fix it

This page is about the saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

American English

Possible meaning:
If something is not faulty or damaged, don't try to repair it.

Note:
ain't (verb): [contraction of] am not, are not, is not | broke (adj.): broken; damaged; faulty | fix (verb): repair; mend | The British English equivalent of this saying is: "Let well alone."

Origin: American businessman Bert Lance (born 1931) writing in Nation's Business (1977).

Variety

This is typically used in American English but may be used in other varieties of English too.

Quick Quiz

The saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" implies that if your watch is running on time you should

a. take it in for maintenance

b. sell it

c. do nothing
a) take it in for maintenance b) sell it c) do nothing

See Saying of the Day today

Contributor: Josef Essberger