“Let sleeping dogs lie”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
The phrase Let sleeping dogs lie means to avoid interfering in a situation that is currently stable or not causing problems, as interference might cause issues or lead to trouble.
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Where it comes from
This expression dates back to at least the 1300s and was popularized in English by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century. It implies that one should not disturb or provoke a potentially problematic situation or person.
Examples
- Even though I disagreed with her decision, I decided to let sleeping dogs lie and not bring it up again.
- He’s not causing any harm at the moment, so it’s better to let sleeping dogs lie.
- I wanted to ask him about the argument, but I think it’s wiser to let sleeping dogs lie.
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