you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

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English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

1796 in English, from French, on ne saurait faire d’omelette sans casser des œufs (1742 and earlier), attributed to François de Charette.[1]

Proverb[edit]

you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

  1. In order to achieve something, it is inevitable and necessary that some mistakes are made or some sacrifices must occur.
    • 1796, Walker's Hibernian Magazine:[1]
      It was remarked to him that he had caused the death of a great many persons. Yes, he replied, omlets are not made without breaking eggs.

Translations[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Oxford English Dictionary, 1884–1928, and First Supplement, 1933.