phrase
General Slang
reinvent the wheel
REE-in-VENT thuh WHEEL · phrase · informal
To needlessly redo something that already works.
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Definitions
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To waste effort creating something from scratch when a proven solution exists.
“Don't reinvent the wheel, reuse the template from last year.”
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reinvent the wheel In A Sentence
Don't reinvent the wheel, reuse the template from last year.
Origin & Usage
Idiom referencing the wheel as a settled invention.
Variants
reinventing the wheel
People Also Ask
What does 'reinvent the wheel' mean?
It means to waste time building something from scratch when a working, established solution already exists.
When do people say it?
Usually as advice to reuse existing work, e.g. 'No need to reinvent the wheel, just copy the old process.'
Is it a compliment or criticism?
It's a mild criticism of inefficiency, or a caution against doing unnecessary work.
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