let sleeping dogs lie

Meaning

This idiom means to leave a situation as it is to avoid causing trouble, argument, or complications. It is typically used in relationships or family situations when raising an old, resolved argument would only cause unnecessary drama.

Examples

• I wanted to ask him about our argument last year, but I decided to let sleeping dogs lie.

  I wanted to ask him about our argument last year, but I decided to let sleeping dogs lie.

• They finally stopped fighting about the inheritance, so it's best to let sleeping dogs lie.

  They finally stopped fighting about the inheritance, so it's best to let sleeping dogs lie.

• Bringing up his past mistakes will only make him angry; you should let sleeping dogs lie.

  Bringing up his past mistakes will only make him angry; you should let sleeping dogs lie.

• She thought about reopening the investigation, but her lawyer advised her to let sleeping dogs lie.

  She thought about reopening the investigation, but her lawyer advised her to let sleeping dogs lie.

• Let's not talk about who was right or wrong during the trip; let's just let sleeping dogs lie.

  Let's not talk about who was right or wrong during the trip; let's just let sleeping dogs lie.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ It is better to leave sleeping dogs lie.

  ✓ It is better to let sleeping dogs lie.

  The standard idiom uses the verb 'let', not 'leave'.

• ✗ We should let the sleeping dog lie.

  ✓ We should let sleeping dogs lie.

  The phrase is plural ('dogs'), and does not take the definite article 'the'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I know you're still curious about why they broke up, but it's better to ___.

  💡 Avoid restarting an old conflict.

  Show answer

  let sleeping dogs lie

• Instead of bringing up that old family drama again, let's just ___.

  💡 Leave things as they are to prevent trouble.

  Show answer

  let sleeping dogs lie