Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning
Avoid disturbing a situation or re-opening an old issue that is currently calm and might cause trouble if disturbed.
Origin
The wisdom behind "let sleeping dogs lie" is as old as humanity's interaction with animals. Anyone who has approached a sleeping dog knows the risk of a sudden, startled reaction—a growl, a snap, or worse. This primal caution against disturbing a creature at rest, lest it cause unforeseen trouble, found its way into proverbial language. While earlier forms, like Chaucer's 14th-century warning not to "areise up an old dogge," expressed similar sentiments, the precise wording we use today solidified in the 17th century, capturing the simple truth that sometimes, the quietest trouble is best left undisturbed.
Examples
- I know you're still annoyed about the argument, but it happened last week; it's best to let sleeping dogs lie.
- We could bring up the past financial discrepancies, but everyone has moved on, so I think we should just let sleeping dogs lie.