let sleeping dogs lie

Sens

to avoid reopening an old problem

Éviter de rouvrir un vieux problème.

Exemples

1. 1We settled that argument years ago; I'd rather let sleeping dogs lie.
2. 2Instead of mentioning the broken vase again, Mum decided to let sleeping dogs lie.
3. 3Why restart an argument everyone has forgotten? I'd let sleeping dogs lie.
4. 4Our neighbours had finally stopped complaining, so we let sleeping dogs lie and left the old dispute alone.
5. 5Please let sleeping dogs lie; asking about the settled complaint would only start the quarrel again.

Grammaire

Seul let change : let, lets, letting ; son prétérit est let. sleeping dogs reste au pluriel et lie à la base verbale.

Sens proche