What does let sleeping dogs lie mean?
Idiom Meaning:
ignore a problem that could potentially lead to a greater problem if interfered with
Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows:
The X-Files “The Unnatural” (1999)
Time of Scene:
Scully: I don’t care. Mulder, this is a needle in a haystack. These poor souls have been dead for 50 years. Let them rest in peace. Let sleeping dogs lie.
Mulder: Well, I won’t sit idly by as you hurl cliches at me. Preparation is the father of inspiration.
Scully: Necessity is the mother of invention.
Mulder: The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.
Scully: Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we may die.
Mulder: I scream, you scream, we all scream for non-fat tofutti rice dreamsicles.
Dean Spanley (2008)
Time of Scene: n/a
Wrather: Might be best to let sleeping dogs lie, if you know what I mean.
Fisk Junior: Yes, I know what you mean.
Wrather: What if he recognizes your father, starts licking his hand? That could be damn embarrassing.
Fisk Junior: Pygmy judge, old man. Pygmy judge.
Yes, Prime Minister “A Conflict of Interest” (1987)
Time of Scene:
James Hacker: Would you recommend him?
Sir Desmond Glazebrook: No.
James Hacker: Why not?
Sir Desmond Glazebrook: City’s a funny place, you know, Prime Minister. If you spill the beans you open up a whole can of worms. I mean, how can you let sleeping dogs lie if you let the cat out of the bag? Bring in a new broom and if you’re not very careful you find you’ve thrown the baby out with the bathwater. If you change horses in the middle of the stream, next thing you know you’re up the creek without a paddle.
James Hacker: And then the balloon goes up.
Sir Desmond Glazebrook: Obviously. They hit you for six. An own goal in fact.
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