to let sleeping dogs lie

/təˌlet ˈsliːpɪŋ ˈdɔɡz ˈlaɪ/ не трогать старые проблемы B2 medium

Значения

  1. idiomto avoid interfering in a situation that is currently peaceful or stable, even if there are unresolved problems, because trying to fix it might cause trouble — не трогать старые проблемы, чтобы не вызвать новые конфликты; оставить всё как есть

Устойчивые сочетания

let sleeping dogs liebetter to let sleeping dogs liedon't let sleeping dogs lie

Примеры

  • When my brother and I finally stopped arguing about who broke Dad's old watch, Mom said we should let sleeping dogs lie and move on.
  • I know Sarah was upset with me last year, but things are fine between us now, so I think I should let sleeping dogs lie rather than bring it up again.
  • The company had money problems in the past, but they're doing well now — sometimes it's best to let sleeping dogs lie and focus on the future.

Синонимы

leave well alonedon't rock the boatlet it beleave things as they are

Антонимы

stir up troublerake up the pastopen old wounds

Частая ошибка

Часто путают с буквальным смыслом о собаках. На самом деле это метафора: 'sleeping dogs' символизируют потенциальные проблемы, которые спят (неактивны). 'Let them lie' = не будить их, не вызывать беду. Не путать с буквальным советом не трогать спящего пса.