English Idiom – Rob Peter to pay Paul.
To solve a problem in a way that makes another problem worse. If you rob Peter to pay Paul you borrow money from one person to pay another person – you are simply moving the problem rather than solving the problem. To incur a debt in order to pay off another debt.
Usage:
When could you use this idiom?
- Somebody asks you to lend them money, so they can pay off another debt.
- A person is paying off a debt with a credit card.
- Your football team needs to sign successful new players but can only do so by selling successful existing players.
Example:
- “I won’t lend you anymore money. I know you are skint, but you can’t keep borrowing money from me to pay your debts. You are robbing Peter to pay Paul!”
In the News
Spotted in the news“We quickly realized that it wasn’t sustainable (or recommended!) to ‘rob Peter to pay Paul’…”brewbound.comWhat is an idiom?
An idiom is a word or phrase that is not taken literally. An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words, but has a separate meaning of its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
To solve one problem, especially a debt, by creating another one.
Using one credit card to pay off another credit card.
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