Skip to content

you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

  1. proverb that implies that in order to be successful one has to accept discomfort
L1116400 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

proverb

Etymology: 1796 in English, from French, on ne saurait faire d'omelette sans casser des œufs (1742 and earlier), attributed to François de Charette.

  1. In order to achieve something, it is inevitable and necessary that some mistakes are made or some sacrifices must occur.

    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.

    She. Have you any people at Home, Guy, to be pleased with your performances? He. One or two. One can't make omelets without breaking eggs.