if the shoe fits, wear it

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if the shoe fits, wear it

1. (idiomatic) If a description fits, it is probably the case; if an insult accurately describes you, you must bear it; if you take offence at an insult that was only implicitly directed at you, you admit the insult is true enough to be recognizable.
   • 1901, Horatio Alger, chapter 18, in Young Captain Jack:

     "Do you mean to insult me by that?" he roared.
     "If the shoe fits, you can wear it."
     "I'll knock you down for the insult."

2. (Can we verify⁽⁺⁾ this sense?) (idiomatic) If it works, there is not a problem using it. Often a response to being judged when using an incorrect tool.

• (UK) if the cap fits, wear it
• if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck

• if it works, it works
• it takes one to know one