- Meaning
- This idiom advises against stirring up trouble, reviving old conflicts, or addressing issues best left alone, suggesting that it’s wiser to avoid disturbance, like letting sleeping dogs remain undisturbed to prevent them from barking or attacking. It conveys a call for restraint and pragmatism, used in personal, social, or professional contexts to caution against reopening sensitive matters. The phrase carries a tone of wisdom, caution, or resignation, reflecting cultural values of peace over confrontation and the recognition that some disputes are better unresolved. It resonates in settings where harmony is fragile or past grievances could reignite, capturing the human instinct to prioritize stability over curiosity or justice, and often implies a calculated choice to avoid unnecessary drama or risk.
- Origin
- The phrase has roots in 14th-century Europe, with a Latin proverb *qui dormit canem non excitare* (‘do not wake a sleeping dog’) attributed to medieval scholars. In English, it appeared in Geoffrey Chaucer’s *Troilus and Criseyde* (1385): ‘It is nought good a slepyng hound to wake.’ The modern form was recorded in John Ray’s 1678 *English Proverbs*: ‘Let sleeping dogs lie.’ The idiom gained traction in the 18th century, reflecting a culture of social restraint, as seen in Samuel Johnson’s *Rasselas* (1759), which explores avoiding conflict. Its use grew in 19th-century British and American literature, particularly in political and domestic contexts, with Charles Dickens’ *David Copperfield* (1850) employing it for family disputes. The phrase’s adoption was amplified in the 20th century through diplomacy and media, notably in post-World War I peace talks. Its vivid imagery, rooted in the universal caution around dogs, and its applicability to conflict avoidance ensured its widespread use across English-speaking cultures, from family advice to international relations.
- Variants
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- Let sleeping dogs lie
- Leave sleeping dogs lie
- Don’t wake sleeping dogs
- Let a sleeping dog lie
- Examples
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- Let sleeping dogs lie—don’t bring up that old argument with your sister.
- Leave sleeping dogs lie; revisiting the contract dispute could ruin the partnership.
- Don’t wake sleeping dogs by mentioning his past mistakes at the meeting.
- Let a sleeping dog lie—avoid asking about her ex to keep the peace.
- They let sleeping dogs lie, not pursuing the old feud with their neighbors.
- Let sleeping dogs lie, and don’t stir up trouble by reopening the budget debate.
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