Etymology Journal · D
Don't reinvent the wheel
Meaning
- Do not waste time creating a new solution for a problem that has already been solved effectively. Use what is already known to work.
Pragmatic, professional
Used in a sentence
- We can use the existing template for the report, don't reinvent the wheel.
- Just copy the code from the previous project, don't reinvent the wheel.
- The system works fine, don't reinvent the wheel.
The backstory
A 20th-century corporate and engineering cliché. It emphasizes efficiency and the value of existing systems over unnecessary innovation.
Heard in
Nationwide
Vibe check