if it works, it works
if an action achieves its desired result, one should leave it at that; the outcome of an action is more important than the action itself
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The repair looks messy, but if it works, it works.”
“My grandfather uses an old, strange method to fix the engine, but if it works, it works.”
“While the unconventional strategy lacked elegance, the team accepted the results, concluding that if it works, it works.”
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spanner in the works
Something that disrupts smooth operation or functioning.
- 02
throw a monkey wrench in the works
Synonym of throw a spanner in the works.
- 03
throw a monkey wrench into the works
Synonym of throw a spanner into the works.
- 04
throw a spanner in the works
To introduce a problem, dilemma or obstacle, something unexpected or troublesome.
- 05
throw a wrench in the works
Synonym of throw a spanner in the works.
Last updated August 10, 2026