ENGLISH
REFERENCE

let the perfect be the enemy of the good

idiom
Meaning

To insist on the total realization of a goal and reject any compromise, thereby decreasing the chance of achieving even a part of that goal.


Examples
SIMPLE

Finish your report now; do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

CONTEXTUAL

We need to launch the website today, so please stop editing and do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

COMPLEX

While the architect desired a flawless masterpiece, he eventually realized he must not let the perfect be the enemy of the good if he wanted to complete the project on time.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a good deal

    Very much; to a great extent; a lot; lots.

  2. 02

    all good

    It's all good.

  3. 03

    be one's own worst enemy

    To act contrary to one's own interests; to cause problems for oneself; to self-sabotage.

  4. 04

    but good

    To a high degree; very thoroughly; in a most definite manner.

  5. 05

    buy to let

    To purchase a property as in investment, and to let it out for rental instead of living in it

  6. 06

    come from a good place

    To be motivated by decency, kindness, or good intentions.

  7. 07

    deal a good hand

    To assign favorable circumstances in life to someone.

  8. 08

    do well by doing good

    To achieve social acceptance or financial success as a result of behaving in a benevolent or charitable manner.

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