if the shoe fits, wear it

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. (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

• it takes one to know one