if it ain't broke, don't fix it

== English == === Alternative forms === if it ain't broken, don't fix it === Etymology === Attested since c. 1962, originally Southern United States English; popularized by T. Bert Lance in May 1977. === Proverb === if it ain't broke, don't fix it It is wise to leave something alone and to avoid attempting to correct, fix, or improve what is already sufficient (often with an implication that is the attempted improvement is risky and might backfire). ==== Synonyms ==== don't mess with success if it ain't busted, don't fix it leave well enough alone if it works, it works ==== Coordinate terms ==== don’t change a winning team don’t change horses in midstream don’t mess with success let sleeping dogs lie ==== Translations ==== === References ===