reinventing the wheel

Starting something over completely from scratch when there is already something prepared. Often done unnecessarily and for the purpose of taking full credit.

Michelle: Did you see the dress Jenny made? It's just like that one we saw at the mall, except the straps cross.

Carly: Why didn't she just alter that one? She's always reinventing the wheel.

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reinvent the wheel

to needlessly duplicate the basics of a method

If we have the technology to clean up the atmosphere, why do we always try to reinvent the wheel?

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Reinvent the Wheel

Common code or jargon for copying someone else's work and claiming it as your own.

Frequently used in the military, even for the most mundane of tasks.

Especially applicable when the search to copy someone else's work requires more work than actually doing the work yourself.

1. If you've already done the work, there's no need to reinvent the wheel, just send me a copy of yours.
2. I'm sure I could do this, but why should I, there's no need to reinvent the wheel.
3. Whenever you copy and paste a request, remember to include that you don't want to reinvent the wheel.