diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/attrs.rs b/clippy_lints/src/attrs.rs
index 15830392d37..f900b6003af 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/attrs.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/attrs.rs
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ impl LateLintPass for AttrPass {
             if items.is_empty() || name != &"deprecated" {
                 return;
             }
-            for ref item in items {
+            for item in items {
                 if let MetaItemKind::NameValue(ref name, ref lit) = item.node {
                     if name == &"since" {
                         check_semver(cx, item.span, lit);
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/block_in_if_condition.rs b/clippy_lints/src/block_in_if_condition.rs
index 6d84eca7505..227d38a97fd 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/block_in_if_condition.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/block_in_if_condition.rs
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ impl LateLintPass for BlockInIfCondition {
             } else {
                 let mut visitor = ExVisitor { found_block: None };
                 walk_expr(&mut visitor, check);
-                if let Some(ref block) = visitor.found_block {
+                if let Some(block) = visitor.found_block {
                     span_help_and_lint(cx, BLOCK_IN_IF_CONDITION_STMT, block.span, COMPLEX_BLOCK_MESSAGE, "");
                 }
             }
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/consts.rs b/clippy_lints/src/consts.rs
index aac9aa3e8ef..fa3e6a15606 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/consts.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/consts.rs
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ impl<'c, 'cc> ConstEvalLateContext<'c, 'cc> {
     /// A block can only yield a constant if it only has one constant expression
     fn block(&mut self, block: &Block) -> Option<Constant> {
         if block.stmts.is_empty() {
-            block.expr.as_ref().and_then(|ref b| self.expr(b))
+            block.expr.as_ref().and_then(|b| self.expr(b))
         } else {
             None
         }
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/derive.rs b/clippy_lints/src/derive.rs
index 5d1eb267343..77771bd0d78 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/derive.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/derive.rs
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ fn check_copy_clone<'a, 'tcx>(cx: &LateContext<'a, 'tcx>, item: &Item, trait_ref
                             TypeVariants::TyFnPtr(..) => {
                                 return;
                             }
-                            TypeVariants::TyTuple(ref tys) if tys.len() > 12 => {
+                            TypeVariants::TyTuple(tys) if tys.len() > 12 => {
                                 return;
                             }
                             _ => (),
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/escape.rs b/clippy_lints/src/escape.rs
index 79dd2451650..bc348f220aa 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/escape.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/escape.rs
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ declare_lint! {
 
 fn is_non_trait_box(ty: ty::Ty) -> bool {
     match ty.sty {
-        ty::TyBox(ref inner) => !inner.is_trait(),
+        ty::TyBox(inner) => !inner.is_trait(),
         _ => false,
     }
 }
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ impl<'a, 'tcx: 'a+'gcx, 'gcx: 'a> EscapeDelegate<'a, 'tcx, 'gcx> {
         // Large types need to be boxed to avoid stack
         // overflows.
         match ty.sty {
-            ty::TyBox(ref inner) => {
+            ty::TyBox(inner) => {
                 if let Ok(layout) = inner.layout(self.infcx) {
                     let size = layout.size(&self.target);
                     size.bytes() > self.too_large_for_stack
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/eta_reduction.rs b/clippy_lints/src/eta_reduction.rs
index 30c8e2645ae..d687cb7c1f4 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/eta_reduction.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/eta_reduction.rs
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ fn check_closure(cx: &LateContext, expr: &Expr) {
                     }
                     _ => (),
                 }
-                for (ref a1, ref a2) in decl.inputs.iter().zip(args) {
+                for (a1, a2) in decl.inputs.iter().zip(args) {
                     if let PatKind::Binding(_, ident, _) = a1.pat.node {
                         // XXXManishearth Should I be checking the binding mode here?
                         if let ExprPath(None, ref p) = a2.node {
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/functions.rs b/clippy_lints/src/functions.rs
index 0dec4e94c0b..0e32a405994 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/functions.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/functions.rs
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ impl LateLintPass for Functions {
     fn check_fn(&mut self, cx: &LateContext, kind: intravisit::FnKind, decl: &hir::FnDecl, block: &hir::Block, span: Span, nodeid: ast::NodeId) {
         use rustc::hir::map::Node::*;
 
-        let is_impl = if let Some(NodeItem(ref item)) = cx.tcx.map.find(cx.tcx.map.get_parent_node(nodeid)) {
+        let is_impl = if let Some(NodeItem(item)) = cx.tcx.map.find(cx.tcx.map.get_parent_node(nodeid)) {
             matches!(item.node, hir::ItemImpl(_, _, _, Some(_), _, _) | hir::ItemDefaultImpl(..))
         } else {
             false
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/len_zero.rs b/clippy_lints/src/len_zero.rs
index e58bca41845..c8f792b6d5f 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/len_zero.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/len_zero.rs
@@ -203,8 +203,8 @@ fn has_is_empty(cx: &LateContext, expr: &Expr) -> bool {
               .map_or(false, |ids| ids.iter().any(|i| is_is_empty(cx, i)))
         }
         ty::TyProjection(_) => ty.ty_to_def_id().map_or(false, |id| has_is_empty_impl(cx, &id)),
-        ty::TyEnum(ref id, _) |
-        ty::TyStruct(ref id, _) => has_is_empty_impl(cx, &id.did),
+        ty::TyEnum(id, _) |
+        ty::TyStruct(id, _) => has_is_empty_impl(cx, &id.did),
         ty::TyArray(..) | ty::TyStr => true,
         _ => false,
     }
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/let_if_seq.rs b/clippy_lints/src/let_if_seq.rs
index 0ed3248228f..f5b1982dd1c 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/let_if_seq.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/let_if_seq.rs
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ impl LintPass for LetIfSeq {
 impl LateLintPass for LetIfSeq {
     fn check_block(&mut self, cx: &LateContext, block: &hir::Block) {
         let mut it = block.stmts.iter().peekable();
-        while let Some(ref stmt) = it.next() {
+        while let Some(stmt) = it.next() {
             if_let_chain! {[
                 let Some(expr) = it.peek(),
                 let hir::StmtDecl(ref decl, _) = stmt.node,
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/lib.rs b/clippy_lints/src/lib.rs
index d68a99a7b09..7308a656590 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/lib.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/lib.rs
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ pub fn register_plugins(reg: &mut rustc_plugin::Registry) {
         Ok(file_name) => {
             // if the user specified a file, it must exist, otherwise default to `clippy.toml` but
             // do not require the file to exist
-            let (ref file_name, must_exist) = if let Some(ref file_name) = file_name {
+            let (file_name, must_exist) = if let Some(ref file_name) = file_name {
                 (&**file_name, true)
             } else {
                 ("clippy.toml", false)
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/loops.rs b/clippy_lints/src/loops.rs
index 44e70a6f2f8..822f48b77f5 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/loops.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/loops.rs
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@ fn check_for_loop(cx: &LateContext, pat: &Pat, arg: &Expr, body: &Expr, expr: &E
 /// Check for looping over a range and then indexing a sequence with it.
 /// The iteratee must be a range literal.
 fn check_for_loop_range(cx: &LateContext, pat: &Pat, arg: &Expr, body: &Expr, expr: &Expr) {
-    if let Some(higher::Range { start: Some(ref start), ref end, limits }) = higher::range(arg) {
+    if let Some(higher::Range { start: Some(start), ref end, limits }) = higher::range(arg) {
         // the var must be a single name
         if let PatKind::Binding(_, ref ident, _) = pat.node {
             let mut visitor = VarVisitor {
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@ fn check_for_loop_range(cx: &LateContext, pat: &Pat, arg: &Expr, body: &Expr, ex
                     format!(".skip({})", snippet(cx, start.span, ".."))
                 };
 
-                let take = if let Some(ref end) = *end {
+                let take = if let Some(end) = *end {
                     if is_len_call(end, &indexed) {
                         "".to_owned()
                     } else {
@@ -494,7 +494,7 @@ fn is_len_call(expr: &Expr, var: &Name) -> bool {
 
 fn check_for_loop_reverse_range(cx: &LateContext, arg: &Expr, expr: &Expr) {
     // if this for loop is iterating over a two-sided range...
-    if let Some(higher::Range { start: Some(ref start), end: Some(ref end), limits }) = higher::range(arg) {
+    if let Some(higher::Range { start: Some(start), end: Some(end), limits }) = higher::range(arg) {
         // ...and both sides are compile-time constant integers...
         if let Ok(start_idx) = eval_const_expr_partial(cx.tcx, start, ExprTypeChecked, None) {
             if let Ok(end_idx) = eval_const_expr_partial(cx.tcx, end, ExprTypeChecked, None) {
@@ -873,7 +873,7 @@ fn is_break_expr(expr: &Expr) -> bool {
         ExprBreak(None) => true,
         ExprBlock(ref b) => {
             match extract_first_expr(b) {
-                Some(ref subexpr) => is_break_expr(subexpr),
+                Some(subexpr) => is_break_expr(subexpr),
                 None => false,
             }
         }
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/matches.rs b/clippy_lints/src/matches.rs
index 0f1c9755be9..820223a4350 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/matches.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/matches.rs
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ fn check_match_bool(cx: &LateContext, ex: &Expr, arms: &[Arm], expr: &Expr) {
                     None
                 };
 
-                if let Some((ref true_expr, ref false_expr)) = exprs {
+                if let Some((true_expr, false_expr)) = exprs {
                     let sugg = match (is_unit_expr(true_expr), is_unit_expr(false_expr)) {
                         (false, false) => {
                             Some(format!("if {} {} else {}",
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/methods.rs b/clippy_lints/src/methods.rs
index d47179c5219..1724d2999fb 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/methods.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/methods.rs
@@ -674,7 +674,7 @@ fn lint_clone_on_copy(cx: &LateContext, expr: &hir::Expr) {
 
 /// Checks for the `CLONE_DOUBLE_REF` lint.
 fn lint_clone_double_ref(cx: &LateContext, expr: &hir::Expr, arg: &hir::Expr, ty: ty::Ty) {
-    if let ty::TyRef(_, ty::TypeAndMut { ty: ref inner, .. }) = ty.sty {
+    if let ty::TyRef(_, ty::TypeAndMut { ty: inner, .. }) = ty.sty {
         if let ty::TyRef(..) = inner.sty {
             span_lint_and_then(cx,
                                CLONE_DOUBLE_REF,
@@ -694,7 +694,7 @@ fn lint_extend(cx: &LateContext, expr: &hir::Expr, args: &MethodArgs) {
         return;
     }
     let arg_ty = cx.tcx.expr_ty(&args[1]);
-    if let Some(slice) = derefs_to_slice(cx, &args[1], &arg_ty) {
+    if let Some(slice) = derefs_to_slice(cx, &args[1], arg_ty) {
         span_lint_and_then(cx, EXTEND_FROM_SLICE, expr.span, "use of `extend` to extend a Vec by a slice", |db| {
             db.span_suggestion(expr.span,
                                "try this",
@@ -725,7 +725,7 @@ fn lint_cstring_as_ptr(cx: &LateContext, expr: &hir::Expr, new: &hir::Expr, unwr
 // Type of MethodArgs is potentially a Vec
 fn lint_iter_nth(cx: &LateContext, expr: &hir::Expr, iter_args: &MethodArgs, is_mut: bool){
     let mut_str = if is_mut { "_mut" } else {""};
-    let caller_type = if let Some(_) = derefs_to_slice(cx, &iter_args[0], &cx.tcx.expr_ty(&iter_args[0])) {
+    let caller_type = if let Some(_) = derefs_to_slice(cx, &iter_args[0], cx.tcx.expr_ty(&iter_args[0])) {
         "slice"
     }
     else if match_type(cx, cx.tcx.expr_ty(&iter_args[0]), &paths::VEC) {
@@ -747,20 +747,20 @@ fn lint_iter_nth(cx: &LateContext, expr: &hir::Expr, iter_args: &MethodArgs, is_
     );
 }
 
-fn derefs_to_slice(cx: &LateContext, expr: &hir::Expr, ty: &ty::Ty) -> Option<sugg::Sugg<'static>> {
-    fn may_slice(cx: &LateContext, ty: &ty::Ty) -> bool {
+fn derefs_to_slice(cx: &LateContext, expr: &hir::Expr, ty: ty::Ty) -> Option<sugg::Sugg<'static>> {
+    fn may_slice(cx: &LateContext, ty: ty::Ty) -> bool {
         match ty.sty {
             ty::TySlice(_) => true,
             ty::TyStruct(..) => match_type(cx, ty, &paths::VEC),
             ty::TyArray(_, size) => size < 32,
-            ty::TyRef(_, ty::TypeAndMut { ty: ref inner, .. }) |
-            ty::TyBox(ref inner) => may_slice(cx, inner),
+            ty::TyRef(_, ty::TypeAndMut { ty: inner, .. }) |
+            ty::TyBox(inner) => may_slice(cx, inner),
             _ => false,
         }
     }
 
     if let hir::ExprMethodCall(name, _, ref args) = expr.node {
-        if &name.node.as_str() == &"iter" && may_slice(cx, &cx.tcx.expr_ty(&args[0])) {
+        if &name.node.as_str() == &"iter" && may_slice(cx, cx.tcx.expr_ty(&args[0])) {
             sugg::Sugg::hir_opt(cx, &*args[0]).map(|sugg| {
                 sugg.addr()
             })
@@ -770,8 +770,8 @@ fn derefs_to_slice(cx: &LateContext, expr: &hir::Expr, ty: &ty::Ty) -> Option<su
     } else {
         match ty.sty {
             ty::TySlice(_) => sugg::Sugg::hir_opt(cx, expr),
-            ty::TyRef(_, ty::TypeAndMut { ty: ref inner, .. }) |
-            ty::TyBox(ref inner) => {
+            ty::TyRef(_, ty::TypeAndMut { ty: inner, .. }) |
+            ty::TyBox(inner) => {
                 if may_slice(cx, inner) {
                     sugg::Sugg::hir_opt(cx, expr)
                 } else {
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/misc.rs b/clippy_lints/src/misc.rs
index 7d54446557b..45ce71426dd 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/misc.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/misc.rs
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ impl LateLintPass for TopLevelRefPass {
             // Does not apply to closures
             return;
         }
-        for ref arg in &decl.inputs {
+        for arg in &decl.inputs {
             if let PatKind::Binding(BindByRef(_), _, _) = arg.pat.node {
                 span_lint(cx,
                           TOPLEVEL_REF_ARG,
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ impl LateLintPass for UsedUnderscoreBinding {
 /// Heuristic to see if an expression is used. Should be compatible with `unused_variables`'s idea
 /// of what it means for an expression to be "used".
 fn is_used(cx: &LateContext, expr: &Expr) -> bool {
-    if let Some(ref parent) = get_parent_expr(cx, expr) {
+    if let Some(parent) = get_parent_expr(cx, expr) {
         match parent.node {
             ExprAssign(_, ref rhs) |
             ExprAssignOp(_, _, ref rhs) => **rhs == *expr,
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/misc_early.rs b/clippy_lints/src/misc_early.rs
index 569fe76e029..a8127ef88af 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/misc_early.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/misc_early.rs
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ impl EarlyLintPass for MiscEarly {
     fn check_fn(&mut self, cx: &EarlyContext, _: FnKind, decl: &FnDecl, _: &Block, _: Span, _: NodeId) {
         let mut registered_names: HashMap<String, Span> = HashMap::new();
 
-        for ref arg in &decl.inputs {
+        for arg in &decl.inputs {
             if let PatKind::Ident(_, sp_ident, None) = arg.pat.node {
                 let arg_name = sp_ident.node.to_string();
 
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/mut_reference.rs b/clippy_lints/src/mut_reference.rs
index 38cec410013..5683a269cfe 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/mut_reference.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/mut_reference.rs
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ impl LateLintPass for UnnecessaryMutPassed {
 
 fn check_arguments(cx: &LateContext, arguments: &[P<Expr>], type_definition: &TyS, name: &str) {
     match type_definition.sty {
-        TypeVariants::TyFnDef(_, _, ref fn_type) |
-        TypeVariants::TyFnPtr(ref fn_type) => {
+        TypeVariants::TyFnDef(_, _, fn_type) |
+        TypeVariants::TyFnPtr(fn_type) => {
             let parameters = &fn_type.sig.skip_binder().inputs;
             for (argument, parameter) in arguments.iter().zip(parameters.iter()) {
                 match parameter.sty {
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/needless_borrow.rs b/clippy_lints/src/needless_borrow.rs
index e34e8b9c520..ab87201d230 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/needless_borrow.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/needless_borrow.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 //! This lint is **warn** by default
 
 use rustc::lint::*;
-use rustc::hir::{ExprAddrOf, Expr, MutImmutable};
+use rustc::hir::{ExprAddrOf, Expr, MutImmutable, Pat, PatKind, BindingMode};
 use rustc::ty::TyRef;
 use utils::{span_lint, in_macro};
 use rustc::ty::adjustment::AutoAdjustment::AdjustDerefRef;
@@ -53,4 +53,21 @@ impl LateLintPass for NeedlessBorrow {
             }
         }
     }
+    fn check_pat(&mut self, cx: &LateContext, pat: &Pat) {
+        if in_macro(cx, pat.span) {
+            return;
+        }
+        if let PatKind::Binding(BindingMode::BindByRef(MutImmutable), _, _) = pat.node {
+            if let TyRef(_, ref tam) = cx.tcx.pat_ty(pat).sty {
+                if tam.mutbl == MutImmutable {
+                    if let TyRef(..) = tam.ty.sty {
+                        span_lint(cx,
+                                  NEEDLESS_BORROW,
+                                  pat.span,
+                                  "this pattern creates a reference to a reference")
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/new_without_default.rs b/clippy_lints/src/new_without_default.rs
index 053e423336e..88e25c819bc 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/new_without_default.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/new_without_default.rs
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ impl LateLintPass for NewWithoutDefault {
             return;
         }
 
-        if let FnKind::Method(name, ref sig, _, _) = kind {
+        if let FnKind::Method(name, sig, _, _) = kind {
             if sig.constness == hir::Constness::Const {
                 // can't be implemented by default
                 return;
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ impl LateLintPass for NewWithoutDefault {
 
 fn can_derive_default<'t, 'c>(ty: ty::Ty<'t>, cx: &LateContext<'c, 't>, default_trait_id: DefId) -> bool {
     match ty.sty {
-        ty::TyStruct(ref adt_def, ref substs) => {
+        ty::TyStruct(adt_def, substs) => {
             for field in adt_def.all_fields() {
                 let f_ty = field.ty(cx.tcx, substs);
                 if !implements_trait(cx, f_ty, default_trait_id, Vec::new()) {
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/shadow.rs b/clippy_lints/src/shadow.rs
index 05a23f57600..6ea4557564a 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/shadow.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/shadow.rs
@@ -161,12 +161,12 @@ fn check_pat(cx: &LateContext, pat: &Pat, init: &Option<&Expr>, span: Span, bind
             }
         }
         PatKind::Struct(_, ref pfields, _) => {
-            if let Some(ref init_struct) = *init {
+            if let Some(init_struct) = *init {
                 if let ExprStruct(_, ref efields, _) = init_struct.node {
                     for field in pfields {
                         let name = field.node.name;
                         let efield = efields.iter()
-                                            .find(|ref f| f.name.node == name)
+                                            .find(|f| f.name.node == name)
                                             .map(|f| &*f.expr);
                         check_pat(cx, &field.node.pat, &efield, span, bindings);
                     }
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ fn check_pat(cx: &LateContext, pat: &Pat, init: &Option<&Expr>, span: Span, bind
             }
         }
         PatKind::Tuple(ref inner, _) => {
-            if let Some(ref init_tup) = *init {
+            if let Some(init_tup) = *init {
                 if let ExprTup(ref tup) = init_tup.node {
                     for (i, p) in inner.iter().enumerate() {
                         check_pat(cx, p, &Some(&tup[i]), p.span, bindings);
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ fn check_pat(cx: &LateContext, pat: &Pat, init: &Option<&Expr>, span: Span, bind
             }
         }
         PatKind::Box(ref inner) => {
-            if let Some(ref initp) = *init {
+            if let Some(initp) = *init {
                 if let ExprBox(ref inner_init) = initp.node {
                     check_pat(cx, inner, &Some(&**inner_init), span, bindings);
                 } else {
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ fn check_expr(cx: &LateContext, expr: &Expr, bindings: &mut Vec<(Name, Span)>) {
         // ExprCall
         // ExprMethodCall
         ExprVec(ref v) | ExprTup(ref v) => {
-            for ref e in v {
+            for e in v {
                 check_expr(cx, e, bindings)
             }
         }
@@ -294,8 +294,8 @@ fn check_expr(cx: &LateContext, expr: &Expr, bindings: &mut Vec<(Name, Span)>) {
         ExprMatch(ref init, ref arms, _) => {
             check_expr(cx, init, bindings);
             let len = bindings.len();
-            for ref arm in arms {
-                for ref pat in &arm.pats {
+            for arm in arms {
+                for pat in &arm.pats {
                     check_pat(cx, pat, &Some(&**init), pat.span, bindings);
                     // This is ugly, but needed to get the right type
                     if let Some(ref guard) = arm.guard {
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ fn check_ty(cx: &LateContext, ty: &Ty, bindings: &mut Vec<(Name, Span)>) {
         TyPtr(MutTy { ty: ref mty, .. }) |
         TyRptr(_, MutTy { ty: ref mty, .. }) => check_ty(cx, mty, bindings),
         TyTup(ref tup) => {
-            for ref t in tup {
+            for t in tup {
                 check_ty(cx, t, bindings)
             }
         }
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ fn is_self_shadow(name: Name, expr: &Expr) -> bool {
         ExprBox(ref inner) |
         ExprAddrOf(_, ref inner) => is_self_shadow(name, inner),
         ExprBlock(ref block) => {
-            block.stmts.is_empty() && block.expr.as_ref().map_or(false, |ref e| is_self_shadow(name, e))
+            block.stmts.is_empty() && block.expr.as_ref().map_or(false, |e| is_self_shadow(name, e))
         }
         ExprUnary(op, ref inner) => (UnDeref == op) && is_self_shadow(name, inner),
         ExprPath(_, ref path) => path_eq_name(name, path),
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/strings.rs b/clippy_lints/src/strings.rs
index 24aee0092be..2403d20ef7d 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/strings.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/strings.rs
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ impl LateLintPass for StringAdd {
                     // the string_add_assign is allow, so no duplicates
                 } else {
                     let parent = get_parent_expr(cx, e);
-                    if let Some(ref p) = parent {
+                    if let Some(p) = parent {
                         if let ExprAssign(ref target, _) = p.node {
                             // avoid duplicate matches
                             if SpanlessEq::new(cx).eq_expr(target, left) {
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/utils/conf.rs b/clippy_lints/src/utils/conf.rs
index 3ffb8dcd939..2bea1d3840c 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/utils/conf.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/utils/conf.rs
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ impl fmt::Display for Error {
 
                 Ok(())
             }
-            Error::Type(ref key, ref expected, ref got) => {
+            Error::Type(key, expected, got) => {
                 write!(f, "`{}` is expected to be a `{}` but is a `{}`", key, expected, got)
             }
             Error::UnknownKey(ref key) => write!(f, "unknown key `{}`", key),
diff --git a/clippy_lints/src/utils/mod.rs b/clippy_lints/src/utils/mod.rs
index aac7a427218..744fc9289dc 100644
--- a/clippy_lints/src/utils/mod.rs
+++ b/clippy_lints/src/utils/mod.rs
@@ -154,8 +154,8 @@ pub fn match_def_path(cx: &LateContext, def_id: DefId, path: &[&str]) -> bool {
 /// Check if type is struct or enum type with given def path.
 pub fn match_type(cx: &LateContext, ty: ty::Ty, path: &[&str]) -> bool {
     match ty.sty {
-        ty::TyEnum(ref adt, _) |
-        ty::TyStruct(ref adt, _) => match_def_path(cx, adt.did, path),
+        ty::TyEnum(adt, _) |
+        ty::TyStruct(adt, _) => match_def_path(cx, adt.did, path),
         _ => false,
     }
 }
@@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ pub fn get_enclosing_block<'c>(cx: &'c LateContext, node: NodeId) -> Option<&'c
                             .and_then(|enclosing_id| map.find(enclosing_id));
     if let Some(node) = enclosing_node {
         match node {
-            Node::NodeBlock(ref block) => Some(block),
+            Node::NodeBlock(block) => Some(block),
             Node::NodeItem(&Item { node: ItemFn(_, _, _, _, _, ref block), .. }) => Some(block),
             _ => None,
         }
@@ -719,8 +719,8 @@ pub fn same_tys<'a, 'tcx>(cx: &LateContext<'a, 'tcx>, a: ty::Ty<'tcx>, b: ty::Ty
 /// Return whether the given type is an `unsafe` function.
 pub fn type_is_unsafe_function(ty: ty::Ty) -> bool {
     match ty.sty {
-        ty::TyFnDef(_, _, ref f) |
-        ty::TyFnPtr(ref f) => f.unsafety == Unsafety::Unsafe,
+        ty::TyFnDef(_, _, f) |
+        ty::TyFnPtr(f) => f.unsafety == Unsafety::Unsafe,
         _ => false,
     }
 }
diff --git a/tests/compile-fail/needless_borrow.rs b/tests/compile-fail/needless_borrow.rs
index 88099297b98..0b615838a9e 100644
--- a/tests/compile-fail/needless_borrow.rs
+++ b/tests/compile-fail/needless_borrow.rs
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ fn main() {
     let vec = Vec::new();
     let vec_val = g(&vec); // should not error, because `&Vec<T>` derefs to `&[T]`
     h(&"foo"); // should not error, because the `&&str` is required, due to `&Trait`
+    if let Some(ref cake) = Some(&5) {} //~ ERROR: this pattern creates a reference to a reference
 }
 
 fn f<T:Copy>(y: &T) -> T {