leave well alone Definition

alone
adj, adverb

1. By oneself.

Thesaurus: lone, solitary, abandoned, apart, by oneself, isolated, single, separate, detached, unattached; singly, independently, single-handedly, solo; Antonym: accompanied, escorted.
2. Without anyone else.

Example: The idea was mine alone
3. Apart from other people.
4. Lonely.

Idiom: go it alone

colloq
To act on one's own and without help.

Idiom: leave alone (leave well alone)

See under leave¹.

Idiom: let alone

See under let¹.

Idiom: not alone

Joined by others.
Example: You're not alone in thinking she's nuts

Etymology: 13c: from English al one wholly by oneself.

---

leave¹
verb left, leaving

intr
1. To go away from someone or somewhere.

Thesaurus: depart, exit, move, move out, move away, go away, relocate, set out, decamp.
2. To allow something to remain behind, especially by mistake.

Example: left the keys at home
3. To move out of somewhere.
4. To abandon.

Thesaurus: abandon, quit, walk out on, jilt, desert, forsake.
intr
5. To resign or quit.
6. To allow someone or something to remain in a particular state or condition.

Example: leave the window open
7. To deliver to or deposit with someone.

Example: I'll leave the keys with a neighbour
8. To cause.

Example: It may leave a scar
9. To have as a remainder.

Example: Three minus one leaves two
10. To make a gift of something in a will.

Example: left all her money to charity
Thesaurus: bequeath, allot, assign, entrust, will.
11. To be survived by.

Example: leaves a wife and daughter
12. To cause (especially food or drink) to remain unfinished.

Example: She left half her dinner
13. To hand or turn something over to someone else.

Example: left the driving to her

Idiom: be left with

To be burdened with.
Example: He was left with a huge bill

Idiom: leave someone or something be

To allow them or it to remain unchanged.

To leave them or it alone.

Idiom: leave for dead

To abandon someone who is assumed to be dead.

Idiom: leave go

colloq
To let go.

Idiom: leave someone holding the baby

To abandon them to an unpleasant task or fate.

Idiom: leave someone in the lurch

See under lurch².

Idiom: leave it at that

To take no further action, make no more comment on, etc.

Idiom: leave it out!

slang
Stop it!

Idiom: leave little to be desired (leave much to be desired)

To be slightly or very inadequate or unsatisfactory.

Idiom: leave something unsaid

To hold back from saying it.

Idiom: leave well alone

To refrain from interfering with something, especially when it is functioning adequately.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon læfan to remain.

Phrasal Verb: leave someone or something alone

To allow them or it to remain undisturbed.

Phrasal Verb: leave someone or something behind

To go without taking them or it, either intentionally or accidently.To outdistance them.

Phrasal Verb: leave for somewhere

To set out for a place.

Phrasal Verb: leave off something

To stop doing it.

Phrasal Verb: leave something on

To leave it switched on, usually by mistake.

Phrasal Verb: leave someone or something out

To exclude or omit it or them.

---

well¹
adverb better, best

1. Competently; skilfully.
2. Satisfactorily.
3. Kindly or favourably.

Thesaurus: favourably, glowingly.
4. Thoroughly, properly or carefully.
5. Fully or adequately.
6. Intimately.

Example: don't know her well
7. Successfully; prosperously.

Thesaurus: splendidly, admirably, favourably, comfortably, nicely; Antonym: badly, poorly.
8. Approvingly.
9. Attractively.
10. By a long way.

Example: well past midnight
11. Justifiably.

Example: can't very well ignore him
12. Conceivably; quite possibly.

Example: may well be right
13. Understandably.

Example: if she objects, as well she may
14. Very much.

Example: well worth doing
15. usually colloq
Used in combination for emphasis
Example: I'm jolly well going to
Example: I was well pleased!

adj better, best

1. Healthy.

Thesaurus: healthy, fit, fine, flourishing, robust, strong, in good health, thriving, sound; Antonym: ill.
2. In a satisfactory state.

Thesaurus: pleasant, favourable, satisfactory, agreeable, fortunate.
3. Sensible; advisable.

Example: would be well to check

exclamation

1. Used enquiringly in expectation of a response or explanation, etc.
2. Used variously in conversation, eg to resume a narrative, preface a reply, express surprise, indignation or doubt, etc.

Idiom: all very well

colloq
Said as an objecting response to a consoling remark: satisfactory or acceptable but only up to a point.
Example: It's all very well to criticize

Idiom: as well

Too; in addition.
Thesaurus: also, in addition, additionally, to boot.

Note: also with just
For all the difference it makes.
Example: I may as well tell you

Note: also with just
A good thing; lucky.
Example: It was just as well you came when you did

Idiom: as well as ...

In addition to ...
Thesaurus: including, together with, along with, plus, in addition to.

Idiom: be as well to do something

To be sensible to do it.

Idiom: do well out of something

To profit from it.

Idiom: leave well alone (let well alone)

Not to interfere in things that are satisfactory as they are.

Idiom: mean well

To have helpful or kindly intentions.

Idiom: very well

An expression of acceptance in complying with an order or accepting a point, etc.

Idiom: well and good

Used to show acceptance of facts or a situation.

Idiom: well and truly

Thoroughly; completely.

Idiom: well away

Making rapid progress; far away.

colloq
Drunk or asleep, etc.

Idiom: well done!

An expression used to congratulate someone on an achievement, etc.

Idiom: well enough

Satisfactory within limits.

Idiom: well off

Wealthy; financially comfortable.
Thesaurus: affluent, wealthy, rich, prosperous, successful, moneyed, well-to-do, well-heeled (slang), loaded (slang), in the money (slang); Antonym: poor.

Fortunate; successful.

Idiom: well out of something

colloq
Fortunate to be free of it.

Idiom: well up in something

colloq
Having a thorough knowledge of it.

Idiom: well, well

Expressing surprise.

Idiom: well worth something

Definitely worth it.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon wel.