Example
“Don't reinvent the wheel — there's a battle-tested library for this.”
Recorded usage
These full forms were measured in COCA in 2016–2017. Counts apply to the quoted form, not every use of this idiom; overlapping forms are not added together.
Grouped source variants; editorially classified here as an idiom. Usage counts are separate from CEFR difficulty.
Dictionary details
Alternate forms
Tags
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
bang for your buck
CEFR B1the value or impact you get for the money or effort spent
kill two birds with one stone
CEFR B1To accomplish two tasks with a single effort or action.
band-aid fix
CEFR B2a hasty, temporary solution that patches a symptom without addressing the root cause
cut corners
CEFR B2To do something cheaply or quickly by skipping important steps, often lowering quality.
cut to the chase
CEFR B2To get to the important point without wasting time.
iron out the kinks
CEFR B2to fix the last small problems in a plan, process, or product
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.