English Explanatory Dictionary

you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

English dictionary entry

Meanings

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

Word forms

you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs you've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette

Etymology

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

Related words

a revolution is not a dinner party collateral damage no pain, no gain side effect the cat would eat fish but would not wet her feet there's no such thing as a free lunch unintended consequence you don't get something for nothing
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