How do you use "Let sleeping dogs lie" in a sentence?

I'd let sleeping dogs lie with that topic. Better to let sleeping dogs lie. Just let sleeping dogs lie—don't bring it up.

Let sleeping dogs lie

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: Don't disturb a situation if it will cause trouble; leave well alone.

如果会惹麻烦，就不要去搅动局面；别多管闲事。

No alteres una situación si va a causar problemas; déjalo estar.

問題を起こすなら状況をかき回すな。余計なことをするな。

문제를 일으킬 수 있는 상황을 건드리지 마라. 가만히 놔둬라.

'Let sleeping dogs lie' advises against stirring up old problems—don't wake a sleeping dog that might bite. Some situations are best left undisturbed.

'let sleeping dogs lie（别吵醒睡着的狗）'劝人不要翻旧账——别吵醒可能会咬人的睡狗。有些事情最好别去碰。

'Let sleeping dogs lie' (deja a los perros dormidos en paz) aconseja no remover viejos problemas: no despiertes a un perro dormido que podría morder. Algunas situaciones es mejor dejarlas como están.

「let sleeping dogs lie（寝ている犬はそのままにしろ）」は古い問題を掘り返さないようにという忠告です——噛みつくかもしれない寝ている犬を起こすな。そっとしておいた方がいい状況もあります。

'Let sleeping dogs lie'는 오래된 문제를 다시 꺼내지 말라는 충고입니다. 잠자는 개를 깨우면 물릴 수 있듯이, 어떤 상황은 그냥 놔두는 것이 최선입니다.

Examples

I'd let sleeping dogs lie with that topic.
那个话题我不会去碰。
Yo dejaría ese tema tranquilo.
その話題は触れない方がいい。
그 주제는 건드리지 않는 게 좋겠어.
Better to let sleeping dogs lie.
别去捅马蜂窝了。
Mejor no remover las cosas.
寝た子を起こさない方がいい。
잠자는 개를 깨우지 않는 게 낫다.
Just let sleeping dogs lie—don't bring it up.
别惹事了——别提那件事。
Déjalo estar, no lo saques a relucir.
余計なことを言うな——その話を持ち出すな。
괜히 건드리지 마——그 이야기를 꺼내지 마.

Pronunciation

/let ˈsliːpɪŋ dɒɡz laɪ/

Usage Guide

Context: caution, old problems, avoiding trouble

Tone: warning, wise

✓ Do Say

Let sleeping dogs lie
别惹事
dejar las cosas como están
寝た子を起こすな
긁어 부스럼 만들지 마
Better to let sleeping dogs lie
多一事不如少一事
mejor no remover el asunto
触らぬ神に祟りなし
가만히 두는 게 나아

Common Mistakes

About avoiding old problems, not actual dogs

Origin & History

The proverb appears in Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde (1374). A sleeping dog is peaceful; waking it risks a bite. The wisdom of not provoking dormant problems has kept this phrase alive.

Etymology: Waking a dog risks being bitten

First recorded: Chaucer, 14th century

Cultural Context

Era: Chaucer 14th century, still current

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Chaucer; Universal proverb

Regional notes: English-language universal.

Variations

Let sleeping dogs lie

Let sleeping dogs lie

Examples

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

✓ Do Say

Common Mistakes

Origin & History

Cultural Context

Variations

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