“If it don’t apply, let it fly” (“If it doesn’t apply, let it fly”) is an expression that has been printed on several images. The saying means to let go things that don’t apply or work for you, and was possibly coined in Alcoholics Anonymous.
   
“If it doesn’t apply, let it fly” was printed in the Detroit (MI) News on January 16, 1990. “If it don’t apply, let it fly” was printed in The Village Voice (New York, NY) on November 7, 1995.
   
       
16 January 1990, Detroit (MI) News, “Bedford marks milestone year” by Terry Foster, pg. 3D, col. 1:
“I (Detroit Pistons basketball player William Bedford—ed.) am a little more calmer. I can talk to people now. I am working on my anger. That is something I have always had to work on because I have a short fuse. I’ve learned that if it doesn’t apply, let it fly.”
 
7 November 1995, The Village Voice (New York, NY), “Crack up” by Tom Kertes, pg. 35:
I still hate the fucking slogans, though. And this place is big—enormous]—on slogans. All day all you hear is “If you don’t pick up, you won’t get high]” “If it don’t apply, let it fly]” “Avoid people, places, and things.” “Make 90 meetings in 90 days.” This shit is far too simplistic, smacking of Just Say No-type crap from where I’m sitting. Except, of course, I’m still sitting in a rehab.
 
Google Groups: alt.recovery.codependency
CODA: Help me understand something - Epilogue
Lucia Alfieri, MSW
9/3/96
(...)
To those who have/will accuse me of being the problem: If you recall, my original post asked for HELP. Accusations do not help anyone. If putdowns are what you consider help, thanks, but no thanks. But don’t worry, you have not totally dashed my hopes for learning what I need to do. Based on my survey of responses, turns out yours are in the minority. I guess I can use a little advice I hear often: If it don’t apply, let it fly.
 
Google Books
Being Positive:
The Lives of Men and Women with HIV
By Robert Klitzman
Chicago, IL: Ivan R. Dee
1997
Pg. 45:
I was trying to follow what they say in AA: ‘Let go and let God,’ and ‘If it doesn’t apply, let it fly.’
       
12 November 1997, New York (NY) Beacon, “Society Matters” by Carey Moore, pg. 5:
The mere fact that the convincing mind has already assured us that their misfortune is not our problem, makes our journey the more smoother. Besides, people often say, “If it doesn’t apply, let it fly.-” And though one may find this statement to be quite selfish, there are many of us who feel this way.
 
Google Groups: rec.audio.pro
analog vs. digital!
Michael Neal
10/20/98
(...)
if it dont apply let it fly but the best way to open the door for hacks is to become overpriced, pompous, self important, bores. This business is also known for having a lot of those
 
Google Books
Doing Internet Research:
Critical Issues and Methods for Examining the Net
By Steve Jones
Sage Publications
1999
Pg. 121:
I guess I can use a little advice I hear often: if it don’t apply, let it fly.
   
Google Books
Girlfriends:
The Novel
By Jazz Nolan
New York, NY: Ibooks
2003
Pg. 274:
“If it don’t apply, let it fly.” That’s my new motto.
   
Twitter
Kenneth Wagner
@kennethwagner
Listen to criticism, but if it doesnt apply let it fly. - Woman of God @ HelpingHands
2:43 PM · May 9, 2008·Twitter SMS
   
Twitter
🎀THE DUCHESS🎀
@MsAnonymes
WHY ARE MOST MEN SO INCOMPETENT? It’s so disappointing.. NOT TRYING TO BASH ALL MEN IF IT DON’T APPLY LET IT FLY…
12:19 AM · Sep 17, 2008·Twitter Web Client
 
OCLC WorldCat record
TAKE THE MEAT & LEAVE THE BONE : if it doesn’t apply let it fly.
Author: CHRIS PACKHAM
Publisher: [Place of publication not identified], ROBERTSON Publishing, 2017.
Edition/Format:   Print book : English
 
Twitter
if nikki giovanni had a daughter in ‘99
@nikkigcirca99
“If it don’t apply, let it fly”. Try new things, take a caveat or two, and anything that doesn’t serve you- let it go, love!
11:14 PM · Jan 5, 2020·Twitter for iPhone