Fig. to make unnecessary or redundant preparations. You don't need to reinvent the wheel. Read up on what others have done. I don't have to reinvent the wheel, but I will be cautious before I act.
to discover how to do something that has already been discovered We've had a lot of experience with disasters, and don't have to reinvent the wheel every time something happens.
to waste time trying to develop products or systems that you think are original when in fact they have already been done before Why reinvent the wheel when there are drugs already on the market that are effective?
Do something again, from the beginning, especially in a needless or inefficient effort, as in School committees need not reinvent the wheel every time they try to improve the curriculum. This expression alludes to the invention of a simple but very important device that requires no improvement. [Second half of 1900s]