rob Peter to pay Paul
Redistributing the problem
To rob Peter to pay Paul is to solve one problem by creating another of equal size—paying off one debt by incurring a new one, or satisfying one obligation by neglecting another.
The phrase implies a futile reshuffling rather than genuine progress: Borrowing from your retirement to pay credit cards is just robbing Peter to pay Paul.
- incurBecome liable for
- juggleToss objects cyclically
- payWages for work
- robSteal using intimidation
- debtMoney owed another
shuffling · borrow · musical chairs · shift · reallocate · money · redistribution · zero-sum game · transfer · balancing · making ends meet · shortfall · deficit spending · shell game · pyramid scheme · loan · Ponzi scheme · finance
- greed warningsgold fever
financial soundness
rob Peter to pay Paulbalance the books
Verify financial records agree
make whole · square up · pay in full · wipe the slate clean · financial recovery