let sleeping dogs lie

/lɛt ˈsliːpɪŋ dɒɡz laɪ/◆idiom

avoid stirring up trouble

I know he hurt your feelings, but it's best to let sleeping dogs lie.

The speaker advises against revisiting past conflicts to prevent unnecessary drama.

◆ What It Really Means

to avoid causing unnecessary trouble by reopening a settled issue or conflict

¶ Literal Meaning

to allow sleeping dogs to remain undisturbed

Literal Breakdown

letallow or permit+sleepingin a state of rest+dogsdomestic canines+lieto be in a reclining position

◇ Mental Image

A mental picture of dogs that are currently calm and asleep. Waking them would likely cause them to bark or become aggressive, creating chaos.

◈ When to Use

Two coworkers had a disagreement last week. A third coworker overhears them arguing again and says, 'Just let sleeping dogs lie—it’s not worth rehashing the same old argument.'

◉ Cultural Note

This idiom reflects a cultural preference for avoiding unnecessary conflict and maintaining harmony, even if it means ignoring past grievances.

informal

to avoid interfering in a situation that could become problematic if disturbed

The neighbors argued yesterday, but we decided to let sleeping dogs lie and not get involved.

They chose not to intervene in a potential conflict.

Often used to advise against reopening old arguments or issues that are better left unresolved.

to forget past offenses or conflicts

don't poke the bearidiom

avoid provoking someone or something that is best left alone

Pro Tip

When to use this idiom

Use 'let sleeping dogs lie' when advising someone to avoid reopening a past issue or conflict that could lead to more trouble. It’s a polite way to suggest leaving things as they are.

Gold Rule

Avoid literal interpretation

This idiom is always figurative. Do not take it literally as advice about dogs or sleeping; it refers to avoiding unnecessary conflict.

Word Origin

First recorded in the 14th century, the phrase likely originates from the idea that waking sleeping dogs could provoke them to bark or bite, causing unnecessary disturbance.

Usage Notes

Commonly used in both spoken and written English, especially in advice-giving contexts. It implies that some issues are better left undisturbed to prevent escalation.

English Dictionary

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