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rob peter to pay paul

To solve a problem in a way that makes another problem worse.

Etymology:

  • The expression refers to times before the Reformation when Church taxes had to be paid from St. Paul's church in London and to St. Peter's church in Rome; originally it referred to neglecting the Peter tax in order to have money to pay the Paul tax. This etymology is disputed.
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Submitted on September 01, 2009

Translation

Find a translation for the rob peter to pay paul phrase in other languages:

røv Peter til at betale Paul

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to rob peter to pay paul

rob the cradlerob the cradlepay packetpay the fiddlerpay the billsPay Through the Nosepay packetpay the fiddlerpay upwouldn't pay a quarter to see jesus rid…you get what you pay forpay the piperpay the freightyou get what you pay for!

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