Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

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

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.33 in modern English

Syllables
if it ain't broke, -don't -fix it
IPA
42
Scrabble Score
22
Letters
3
Syllables
12
Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

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).

Example Sentences

Etymology

Attested since c. 1962, originally Southern United States English; popularized by T. Bert Lance in May 1977.

Inflected Forms

if it ain't broken, don't fix it (alternative)

Frequently Paired Words

don’t change a winning team don’t change horses in midstream don’t mess with success let sleeping dogs lie

Synonyms

don't mess with success if it ain't busted, don't fix it leave well enough alone if it works, it works

Questions

What does if it ain't broke, don't fix it mean?
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).
Where does if it ain't broke, don't fix it come from?
Attested since c. 1962, originally Southern United States English; popularized by T. Bert Lance in May 1977.

How to pronounce if it ain't broke, don't fix it

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “if it ain't broke, don't fix it”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “if it ain't broke, don't fix it”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “if it ain't broke, don't fix it” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.