VOA词汇掌故2022--Sometimes It Is Better 'To Let Sleeping Dogs Lie'

Sometimes It Is Better 'To Let Sleeping Dogs Lie'

And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

Sometimes the best way to deal with a problem is to face it head on. But sometimes ... it is not. In some cases, it can be a good idea to give a problem or a difficult situation time and space.

Sometimes we just don't want to deal with it – whatever "it" is. So, we ignore a situation and act as if the problem does not exist.

And of course, we have an expression just for that! Actually, we have a couple. But the first one we will talk about is this: to let sleeping dogs lie.

"To let sleeping dogs lie" means to do nothing in a situation. Sometimes taking action can make things worse. Sometimes it is best to "leave well enough alone" and to not "stir up trouble" – in some cases, more trouble. That is when we let sleeping dogs lie.

There are other expressions that have a similar meaning.

When we "let nature take its course" we do not interfere¹. We sit back and let events unfold. To let something unfold means to permit it to happen naturally.

Now, turning a blind eye to something is different. This is when you choose to ignore something. Usually it is something bad that someone else has done. In this case, you also choose to do nothing.

If you turn a blind eye to something you stand by and let it happen. For example, when teachers turn a blind eye to bullying³ in the classroom, really bad things can happen.

Sometimes turning a blind eye, though, is helpful. For example, if your friend has a bad habit and you choose to ignore it -- you are turning a blind eye to their bad habit.

Now, let's listen in on two friends as they use some of these expressions.

A: Hey, do you have a minute? I really need to talk to someone.

B: Sure. What's wrong?

A: My co-worker Jess is really mad at me.

B: What did you do?

A: Well, he didn't get a promotion⁴. So, at a work gathering⁵ recently, I told his boss that she made a mistake...

B: Oh no ...

A: ... and that she should she give him the promotion.

B: Oh boy. That is a big no-no! You should never interfere in someone's work-life!

A: I know. I know. Now, I feel like I should call his boss and apologize.

B: You definitely should NOT do that.

A: But I made a mistake. I want to fix it.

B: That will not fix anything. You need to let sleeping dogs lie.

A: A phone call is not a big deal.

B: In this case ... it is. Jess's boss most likely has forgotten your comment. But if you call her, it will only stir up more trouble!

A: I guess you're right. But it's really hard to not do something.

B: Think of it this way. If you meddle⁶ again, you could really make things worse for Jess. And then he may never talk to you again.

A: You're right. I won't call. Maybe I'll send her a card.

B: You're hopeless.

Words in This Story

ignore – v. to refuse to take notice of

stir up – phrasal verb to cause (something, usually something bad or unpleasant) to happen

interfere – v. to enter into or take a part in the concerns of others

turn a blind eye – expression pretend not to notice

bully² – v. to frighten, hurt, or threaten (a smaller or weaker person) : to act like a bully toward (someone)

habit – n. a way of acting⁷ or doing that has become fixed⁸ by being repeated often

promotion – n. the act of moving someone to a higher or more important position or rank in an organization

apologize – v. to express regret for something done or said

meddle – v. to change or handle something in a way that is unwanted or harmful

1 interfere   

v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰

参考例句：

• If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话，可能弊多利少。
• When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件，棘手的事情就来了。

2 bully   

n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮

参考例句：

• A bully is always a coward.暴汉常是懦夫。
• The boy gave the bully a pelt on the back with a pebble.那男孩用石子掷击小流氓的背脊。

3 bullying   

v.恐吓，威逼( bully的现在分词 )；豪；跋扈

参考例句：

• Many cases of bullying go unreported . 很多恐吓案件都没有人告发。
• All cases of bullying will be severely dealt with. 所有以大欺小的情况都将受到严肃处理。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

5 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

6 meddle   

v.干预，干涉，插手

参考例句：

• I hope he doesn't try to meddle in my affairs.我希望他不来干预我的事情。
• Do not meddle in things that do not concern you.别参与和自己无关的事。

7 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

8 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。