地道英语let sleeping dogs lie用法解析

let sleeping dogs lie

过去的事就不要再提了；过去的事就不要再提了；不要没事找事；不要多事；不要再去揭伤疤，不要自找麻烦；不要惹是生非；别多管闲事

to avoid mentioning a subject or sth that happened in the past, in order to avoid any problems or arguments

字面意义是“让睡着的狗躺着”，其正确的含义是：

过去的事就不要再提了；不要没事找事；不要多事；不要再去揭伤疤，不要自找麻烦；不要惹是生非；别多管闲事

通常用于提醒人们不要去干涉那些可能会引发麻烦或不愉快的情况，避免因不必要的行动而导致问题出现 。这一表达超越简单劝告，蕴含着对人性、社会运行规律的深刻洞察，在跨文化交际中持续发挥着警示与指导作用。

例如：

Why can't she let sleeping dogs lie?

为什么她就不能不多事？

I know there are some issues with the new policy, but for now, we'd better let sleeping dogs lie and focus on getting the project done.

我知道新政策存在一些问题，但目前我们最好不要自找麻烦，先专注于完成项目。

She was tempted to bring up the old argument with her sister, but then decided to let sleeping dogs lie.

她很想和妹妹提起那场旧争执，但后来决定还是别惹是生非了。

The government decided to let sleeping dogs lie and not introduce the controversial tax reform bill at this time.

政府决定暂不惹事，此时不推出有争议的税收改革法案。

In the novel, the wise old man often advised the young protagonist, “Let sleeping dogs lie. Some mysteries are best left unsolved.”

在这部小说中，那位睿智的老人常常告诫年轻的主人公：“别多管闲事。有些谜团最好还是别解开。”

In diplomatic negotiations, seasoned envoys often counsel their teams to let sleeping dogs lie when sensitive historical issues arise.

在外交谈判中，资深外交官常告诫团队，当敏感历史问题浮现时，宜保持克制。

Corporate executives elected to let sleeping dogs lie regarding the controversial merger, prioritizing short-term market confidence.

企业高管决定对备受争议的并购案暂不深究，优先维护短期市场信心。

The town council decided to let sleeping dogs lie on the zoning issue, fearing public backlash.

镇议会因担忧公众反对，决定暂缓处理分区规划争议。

She bit her tongue and let sleeping dogs lie when her colleague made a tactless comment about her project.

当同事对她的项目发表不当评论时，她选择沉默以息事宁人。

In corporate restructuring, the board opted to let sleeping dogs lie with the legacy pension plan rather than risk employee unrest.（企业重组中，董事会决定暂不触碰原有养老金计划，以免引发员工不满

The ambassador's memoir reveals how strategic use of "let sleeping dogs lie" diplomacy defused a potential trade war.

大使回忆录披露，通过"维持现状"的外交策略，成功化解了一场潜在贸易战。

After years of estrangement, they decided to let sleeping dogs lie and focus on rebuilding their relationship without reopening old wounds.

经过多年隔阂，他们选择不再翻旧账，专注于重建关系。

I thought I would ask Jill if she wanted me to pay her back right away, but then I decided to let sleeping dogs lie.

我想我要问吉儿她是否想让我现在就还她钱，但是我还是决定不再提这个事情。

Why does she come over here stirring everything up? Why can't she let sleeping dogs lie?

为什么她过来把事情搅乱，为什么她不能让过去的事情过去吧？

For when the lion fawns upon the lamb, / The lamb will never cease to follow him. Let sleeping dogs lie not, my liege, for peace bought with silence breeds future storms.

当雄狮向羔羊示好，羔羊便会追随不舍。陛下，切莫姑息养奸，以沉默换取的和平终将孕育更大风暴。莎士比亚《亨利四世》（Henry IV）

Elinor, ever the voice of reason, cautioned Marianne, "In matters of the heart, it is often wiser to let sleeping dogs lie than to seek clarity at the cost of pain.

埃莉诺以理性之名告诫玛丽安："在感情之事上，与其追根究底徒增痛苦，不如顺其自然。

简·奥斯汀《理智与情感》（Sense and Sensibility）

用法注意事项

1.时态与语态变化：该习语可灵活应用于完成时态（has/have let sleeping dogs lie）、被动结构（be advised to let sleeping dogs lie）等。

He regretted letting sleeping dogs lie when the problem eventually became unmanageable.

他后悔当初没处理问题，任由事态发展，当问题最终变得无法控制时。

The committee has historically let sleeping dogs lie on environmental regulations, but public pressure now demands action.

委员会长期对环保法规问题采取放任态度，但公众压力迫使必须有所作为。

2. 搭配与使用语境：该习语常单独使用，作为一种建议或警示。也可与“had better”“decide to”“be tempted to...but”等结构搭配使用，以更清晰地表达说话者的意图和态度 。例如：

You'd better let sleeping dogs lie and not ask about her private life.

你最好别多管闲事，别打听她的私生活。

3.修辞强化技巧：可通过添加限定词增强表达力度，如"prudently let sleeping dogs lie"（审慎行事）、"reluctantly let sleeping dogs lie"（无奈选择息事宁人）；或与比喻性表达结合，如"

Like tending to a smoldering fire, sometimes one must let sleeping dogs lie.

如同处理暗火，有时需要保持克制。