Idiom – Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

English Idiom – Let sleeping dogs lie.

Meaning –  This idiomatic expression means you should leave something alone if it might cause trouble. This idiom advises you to leave inactive problems alone. To have nothing to do with a situation.

This idiom is commonly given as advice to someone who may be about to instigate some kind of trouble or cause a problem.

The words in this idiom – let sleeping dogs lie – let the listener imagine there is a ferocious or scary dog sleeping. They are being advised not to wake this dangerous dog!

Related Expressions:

Usage:

When could you use this idiom?

  • Somebody is asking you about some controversial gossip – and you don’t want to be involved.
  • A friend wants to ask a colleague about a particularly messy breakup.
  • You are trying to avoid talking about the elephant in the room!

Example:

  • “Don’t ask him about his divorce. It’s best to let sleeping dogs lie!”

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  • Is there an idiom like this in your country?

What is an idiom?

An idiom is a word or phrase that is not taken literally.  An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words, but has a separate meaning of its own.

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