COMMON You say if it ain't broke, don't fix it to mean that things should only be changed if there are problems with them. With regard to proposals for some grand reorganization of the intelligence community: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. And I believe it is not broke. Note: You can also say isn't broken instead of ain't broke and why fix it? instead of don't fix it. Her outlook is `If it isn't broken, why fix it?' She puts up with a lot I wouldn't tolerate. Note: The word `ain't' is a form of `isn't' which is used in informal or non-standard English. The first recorded use of this modern proverb is by the American Bert Lance, President Carter's Director of the Office of Management and Budget (1977). He was referring to governmental reorganization.