one may as well hang for a sheep as a lamb

English

Alternative forms

• Numerous variants, generally following this pattern: one may/might as well hang/be hanged/be hung for a sheep as [for] a lamb.

Etymology

Referring to hanging as a former means of execution for one who had stolen an animal.

Pronunciation

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Proverb

one may as well hang for a sheep as a lamb

1. If one is going to commit a sin, it may as well be a major one as a minor one.

Translations

Translations

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 一不做二不休 (zh)

• Finnish: joka leikkiin ryhtyy, se leikin kestäköön (closest equivalent)
• Japanese: 毒を喰らわば皿まで (dokuwokurawabasaramade)
• Polish: lepiej iść na całość
• Russian: семь бед — оди́н отве́т (ru) (semʹ bed — odín otvét)

See also

• in for a penny, in for a pound