leave well enough alone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leave well enough alone" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to advise someone not to interfere with a situation that is satisfactory as it is. Example: "Sometimes it's best to leave well enough alone and not make changes that could complicate things."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Books

Opinion

Style

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let's leave well enough alone.

The New York Times

Why can't we leave well enough alone?

The Guardian - Books

Sherman, however, couldn't leave well enough alone.

The Guardian - Opinion

He also knows when to leave well enough alone.

Independent

But Ms. Dickey cannot leave well enough alone.

The New York Times

But the analysts don't leave well enough alone.

The New York Times

"Maybe you just leave well enough alone," he said.

The New York Times

Or maybe, for once, I'd leave well enough alone.

The New York Times

V Steakhouse does not leave well enough alone.

The New York Times - Food

But camera makers couldn't leave well enough alone.

The New York Times - Style

It seemed best to leave well enough alone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leave well enough alone" when you want to advise someone to avoid unnecessary intervention in a situation that is already satisfactory. It implies that any changes could potentially worsen the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "leave well enough alone" as an excuse for complacency. It's not about avoiding all improvements, but rather about recognizing when further intervention is likely to be counterproductive. Don't use it to dismiss valid concerns or opportunities for positive change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave well enough alone" functions as an idiomatic expression, serving primarily as an imperative. Ludwig AI identifies it as a suggestion or piece of advice, urging restraint from interfering with a satisfactory situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Food

6%

Books

4%

Less common in

Style

2%

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "leave well enough alone" is a common expression advising against interfering with a situation that is already satisfactory, as intervention may worsen it. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves as an imperative suggesting restraint. Alternatives include "let sleeping dogs lie" and "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Remember, this isn't about avoiding all progress, but recognizing when intervention carries more risk than reward. Be cautious about overthinking, and be aware of the context in which you apply the idiom to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let sleeping dogs lie

This alternative suggests avoiding stirring up trouble that is currently dormant.

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

This is a more folksy expression advising against fixing something that is already working.

don't rock the boat

This phrase advises against causing disruption or problems in a stable situation.

leave it as it is

This is a more direct way of saying to not change something.

let it be

This is a simple and common way of saying to allow something to remain undisturbed.

stay the course

This phrase suggests continuing with the current plan without changing direction.

maintain the status quo

This implies preserving the existing state of affairs.

keep things as they are

This emphasizes maintaining the current condition or arrangement.

refrain from interfering

This suggests avoiding intervention in a situation.

avoid meddling

This advises against getting involved in something unnecessarily.

FAQs

How can I use "leave well enough alone" in a sentence?

You can use "leave well enough alone" when advising someone not to interfere with a situation that is currently satisfactory, implying that intervention could make things worse. For example, "The economy is stable; perhaps we should "leave well enough alone"".

What does "leave well enough alone" mean?

The idiom "leave well enough alone" means to not try to improve something that is already satisfactory, as doing so may create new problems.

What are some alternatives to "leave well enough alone"?

Some alternatives to "leave well enough alone" include phrases like "let sleeping dogs lie", "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", or "don't rock the boat".

When is it appropriate to "leave well enough alone"?

It's appropriate to "leave well enough alone" when the potential risks of intervention outweigh the potential benefits, and the current situation is already acceptable or satisfactory. This is particularly relevant when further actions could introduce unforeseen complications.