Robbing Peter to Pay Paul

"To rob Peter to pay Paul", or other versions that have developed over the centuries such as "to borrow from Peter to pay Paul", and "to unclothe Peter to clothe.
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rob Peter to pay Paul

Take from one to give to another, shift resources. For example, They took out a second mortgage on their house so they could buy a condo in Florida-they're robbing Peter to pay Paul. Although legend has it that this expression alludes to appropriating the estates of St. Peter's Church, in Westminster, London, to pay for the repairs of St. Paul's Cathedral in the s, the saying first appeared in a work by John Wycliffe about This expression probably arose in reference to the saints and apostles Peter and Paul , who are often shown together as equals in Christian art and who therefore may be presumed to be equally deserving of honour and devotion.

It is uncertain whether a specific allusion is intended; variants of the phrase include unclothe Peter and clothe Paul and borrow from Peter to pay Paul.

rob Peter to pay Paul

Use funds from one source to repay a debt. If you use one credit card to pay off another, even if you're benefiting by buying time, you're robbing Peter to pay Paul. How the phrase came to be associated with what would seem to be the two apostles is a mystery, since neither was associated with precarious financial planning.


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References in periodicals archive? Many give way to the temptation to take no extra credit or to rob Peter to pay Paul , in order to give themselves and their children a good Christmas. Warning over festive sprees.

To rob Peter to pay Paul - Wikipedia

We've always sought the direct payment of rent because the tenants rob Peter to pay Paul ," he said. Bronx realtors wary of welfare cutbacks. I guess one would have to be truthful and say that if you are going to do a job in two areas you're going to have to rob Peter to pay Paul. If the Government is saying it is going to rob Peter to pay Paul , and give all the money to middle-income earners, it sounds like an electoral bribe," said Mr Shepherd.

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Rob Peter to pay Paul'?

Robbing Peter to pay Paul is no way to treat an ageing nation. Cuts will hit the vulnerable. Viewpoints We're devastated by St Ilan closure. It may be a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul , so to speak.

To rob Peter to pay Paul

We want Brew deal. Robbing Peter to pay Paul is not a policy usually associated with successful management.

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Sensible solution to harsh dilemma. Julian Howells, prosecuting at Bristol Crown Court, said: Church leader stole pounds 24, from couple; Salvation Army captain spared jail by judge. Commenting on NFU criticism that switching cash from production to environmental support was a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul , he said: Now may be time to broaden the definition of agriculture; Farm and Country edited by Andrew Forgrave.


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  • The meaning and origin of the expression: Rob Peter to pay Paul?
  • Emotional blackmail blast at MacLeod. This scandal of robbing Peter to pay Paul is failing to address the serious under-resourcing of our health service. Fraud claims are a state of emergency..

    Free travel for pensioners is something a country as rich as ours should provide - but robbing Peter to pay Paul is not the way to doit. The bus stops here. Jail for lawyer who 'robbed Peter' clients of pounds 99, Labour has let us down over NHS spending.