Put the bread in the cupboard

(Idiom) Take the simple solution to a problem instead of over-complicating it. Origin: The phrase comes from an anecdote about a dog that kept stealing bread left on the kitchen counter. The owner tried punishing the dog, which worked if they were home, but the problem continued whenever the dog was unsupervised. When they asked for advice, someone simply said, “Can you put the bread in the cupboard?” Sometimes the easiest fix is the most effective one. Usage: If a simple action will prevent an unnecessary problem, and doesn’t inconvenience you, then just “put the bread in the cupboard.” Completely unrelated to "put the fries in the bag."