If it ain't broke, don't fix it
Meaning
It advises against making unnecessary changes or interventions to something that is already working satisfactorily.
Origin
The wisdom of leaving well enough alone is ancient, but this catchy, colloquial phrasing shot into the American lexicon in the late 1970s. It was T. Bert Lance, President Jimmy Carter's budget director, who famously popularized it. As he navigated the tangled bureaucracy of Washington, D.C., and faced calls for constant change, Lance would often quip, "That's the trouble with government: If it ain't broke, don't fix it." His simple, punchy words resonated deeply, capturing a prevailing sentiment against unnecessary tinkering and solidifying the phrase as a cornerstone of practical American advice, from home repairs to national policy.
Examples
- Our old car runs perfectly fine, so I don't see why we need to buy a new one; if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
- The team has been winning all season with their current strategy, so the coach knows that if it ain't broke, don't fix it, and he won't be changing anything before the playoffs.