stick to one's last
To stick to one's knitting (to concentrate on one's own tasks, affairs, area of expertise etc.).
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“You should stick to your last and focus on your own work.”
“The manager told the accountant to stick to his last instead of giving advice on the marketing strategy.”
“While the temptation to offer unsolicited advice on the architecture was strong, the engineer wisely chose to stick to his last and concentrate on the structural integrity of the project.”
Compare the proverb cobbler, keep to your last or shoemaker, stick to your last.
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026