# manoeuvre the apostles

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/manoeuvre-the-apostles
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To rob Peter to pay Paul; that is, to borrow money from one person to pay another.

## Examples

- He is always manoeuvring the apostles to pay his monthly bills.
- Instead of fixing his budget, he keeps manoeuvring the apostles, which only makes his debt grow larger.
- Caught in a cycle of financial desperation, he spent his days manoeuvring the apostles, shifting funds between creditors in a futile attempt to maintain his lifestyle.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.