stick to one's knitting

== English == === Alternative forms === attend to one's knitting, ’tend to one’s knitting, tend to one's knitting, keep to one's knitting === Pronunciation === === Verb === stick to one's knitting (third-person singular simple present sticks to one's knitting, present participle sticking to one's knitting, simple past and past participle stuck to one's knitting) (idiomatic) To concentrate on one's own tasks, affairs, area of expertise, etc., especially in order to avoid distraction, embarrassment, or other needless problems. Synonyms: stick to one's last, stay in one's lane, mind one's own business 1975 Nov. 21, "Puritans Denied Drumstick" (editorial), Spokane Daily Chronicle, p. 4 (retrieved 1 Oct 2013): Researchers should stick to their knitting, finding cancer cures and discovering new shades of lipstick, and refrain from debunking history. ==== Usage notes ==== The alternative forms attend to one's knitting, ’tend to one’s knitting, and tend to one's knitting are still used, but appear to have been more common in earlier usage, as in: This expression may be received as sexist, especially if directed to a woman and if the pursuit she is apparently being admonished to leave alone is one traditionally reserved to men. [1] ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ====