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Let the Perfect Be the Enemy of the Good

What Does "Let the Perfect Be the Enemy of the Good" Mean?

homeidiomsLet the Perfect Be the Enemy of the Good
"Let the perfect be the enemy of the good" is an English idiom. It means "to insist on perfection and thereby prevent progress or completion."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "let the perfect be the enemy of the good" used in a sentence:
  • You've been working on this project for too long, don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
  • Sometimes it's better to move forward rather than letting the perfect be the enemy of the good.
  • She always aims for perfection, but she needs to learn not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
meaning for let the perfect be the enemy of the good

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Let the Perfect Be the Enemy of the Good" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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