let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning
Don’t bring up or interfere with a situation that is currently calm, because it may cause trouble or reopen conflict.
Origin
Recorded from at least the 14th century in English proverb collections; it uses the image that waking a sleeping dog may provoke it, metaphorically warning against reviving dormant troubles.
Notes
A cautionary, pragmatic tone. Implies a dormant problem could flare up if revisited. Used in personal or work contexts; can sound like avoiding accountability if overused.
Examples
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I know you're curious about what happened, but it's better to let sleeping dogs lie.
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We could bring up his old mistake, but let's let sleeping dogs lie and move on.
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Don't mention the argument from last week—just let sleeping dogs lie.
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If the client isn't complaining anymore, we should let sleeping dogs lie.
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She wanted to reopen the family dispute, but I told her to let sleeping dogs lie.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed proverb phrase. Commonly used as an imperative (“Let sleeping dogs lie.”) or with modals (“We should let sleeping dogs lie.”). “Sleeping dogs” is usually plural; wording is mostly fixed.
Synonyms
- leave well enough alone
- don’t rock the boat
- let bygones be bygones
- don’t stir the pot
Antonyms
- stir up trouble
- rake over the ashes
- dig up the past
- open a can of worms