TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
SAINT ON NE FETE PLUS [1 record]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2002-10-22
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Proverbs and Maxims
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- rob Peter to pay Paul
1, record 1, English, rob%20Peter%20to%20pay%20Paul
correct, verb
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
To change one duty or need for another; take from one person or thing to pay another. 1, record 1, English, - rob%20Peter%20to%20pay%20Paul
Record 1, Key term(s)
- robbing Peter to pay Paul
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Proverbes et dictons
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- prendre à Pierre pour donner à Paul
1, record 1, French, prendre%20%C3%A0%20Pierre%20pour%20donner%20%C3%A0%20Paul
correct, verb
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- décoiffer saint Pierre pour coiffer saint Paul 1, record 1, French, d%C3%A9coiffer%20saint%20Pierre%20pour%20coiffer%20saint%20Paul
correct, verb, obsolete
- déshabiller saint Pierre pour habiller saint Paul 1, record 1, French, d%C3%A9shabiller%20saint%20Pierre%20pour%20habiller%20saint%20Paul
correct, verb, obsolete
- faire un trou pour en boucher un autre 2, record 1, French, faire%20un%20trou%20pour%20en%20boucher%20un%20autre
verb
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Prélever d’un côté pour parer à un besoin ailleurs. 1, record 1, French, - prendre%20%C3%A0%20Pierre%20pour%20donner%20%C3%A0%20Paul
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 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). 1, record 1, French, - prendre%20%C3%A0%20Pierre%20pour%20donner%20%C3%A0%20Paul
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified: