Dance with the One That Brung You
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Dance with the one that brung you" is a proverb meaning stay loyal to those who supported you or the plan that got you this far. It’s a colorful way of saying don’t abandon your roots or your allies just because something shinier comes along.
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'Dance with the one that brung you' is a good one, but not one I grew up hearin'. Think it might be regional. 'Dance with the one that brung you' is a good one, but not one I grew up hearin'. Think it might be regional. Pronunciation
Meaning & Usage
- To stay loyal to your supporters (proverb)
They’re switching teams now they’re ahead.They oughta dance with the one that brung ’em.- To stick with the plan or method that got you this far (proverb)
Should we change our lineup now?Nope - dance with the one that brung you.Origin and Etymology
The phrase dates back to early 20th-century Southern social dances and was popularized in sports and political circles in Texas and across the South. It’s recorded in Southern newspapers and speeches from the mid-1900s onward.
Usage Notes
Most common in the South and among older speakers, coaches, and politicians, but now widely recognized nationally thanks to sports commentators and country songs. Still carries a Southern twang in its original form "brung" instead of "brought."
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "dance with the one that brung you." Sometimes "dance with who brung you."