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Rob peter to pay paul Meaning in English

expression

RAHB PEE-ter tuh PAY PAWL
rob PEE-ter too PAY PAWL

Definition

To solve a problem or pay a debt by creating another problem or moving debt elsewhere; fixing one thing by neglecting or harming something else.

Usage & Nuances

This is an idiom, mainly used for finances or resource allocation. It often carries a negative tone, suggesting the solution is only temporary and can cause new issues. Not literal—don't use for real theft or when both parties are known individuals.

Spanish: desvestir a un santo para vestir a otro - tapar un agujero descubriendo otroPortuguese (BR): tirar de um lado para cobrir o outro - descobrir um santo para cobrir outroPortuguese (PT): tirar de um lado para cobrir o outro - descobrir um santo para cobrir outroChinese (Simplified): 拆东墙补西墙Chinese (Traditional): 拆東牆補西牆Hindi: एक से लेकर दूसरे को देना (एक जेब खाली कर दूसरी भरना)Arabic: تغطية دين بدين آخرBengali: এক হাত থেকে নিয়ে অন্য হাতে দেওয়া - সমস্যার সমাধান করতে সমস্যা তৈরি করাRussian: переливать из пустого в порожнее - решать одну проблему за счёт другойJapanese: 本末転倒（ほんまつてんとう） - 一時しのぎの対策Vietnamese: dùng chỗ này bù chỗ kia - lấy chỗ nọ đắp chỗ kiaKorean: 언 발에 오줌 누기 - 한 곳을 해결하려다 다른 곳에 문제를 만드는 것Turkish: bir yeri yaparken başka bir yeri bozmak - bir sorunu çözerken başka bir sorun yaratmakUrdu: ایک مسئلہ حل کرنے کے لیے دوسرا پیدا کرنا - ادھار چکا کر نیا ادھار لیناIndonesian: gali lubang tutup lubang - memindahkan masalah bukan menyelesaikan

Example Sentences

Paying for rent by using your credit card is just rob Peter to pay Paul.

basic

If you borrow from your savings to pay bills, you rob Peter to pay Paul.

basic

That plan is just rob Peter to pay Paul; it won't solve anything in the long run.

basic

We're just rob Peter to pay Paul if we take money from marketing to pay for new equipment.

natural

He tried to fix one problem but ended up rob Peter to pay Paul.

natural

Taking out another loan to pay off the first one is just rob Peter to pay Paul.

natural