TERMIUM Plus®

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ROBBING PETER PAY PAUL [1 record]

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Alphabetical list of terms

Record 1 2002-10-22

English

Subject field(s)
  • Proverbs and Maxims
DEF

To change one duty or need for another; take from one person or thing to pay another.

Key term(s)
  • robbing Peter to pay Paul

French

Domaine(s)
  • Proverbes et dictons
DEF

Prélever d'un côté pour parer à un besoin ailleurs.

OBS

L'expression (début XVIIe s.) viendrait de la parure des statues de saints : les églises pauvres ne pouvant posséder de vêtements et d'ornements pour chaque fête de saints, le même ornement servait à saint Pierre et à saint Paul. [...] On emploie encore l'expression sans «saint», et avec des verbes plus abstraits (prendre à Pierre pour donner à Paul).

Spanish

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TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
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