He borrows money from his brother to pay his rent, robbing Peter to pay Paul.
rob Peter to pay Paul
idiomTo use resources that legitimately belong to or are needed by one party in order to satisfy a legitimate need of another party, especially within the same organization or group; to solve a problem in a way that makes another problem worse, producing no net gain.
Origin
first recorded 15th c.Unknown. Sometimes claimed to refer to Church taxes paid to Westminster Abbey (originally called Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster) that were sent to repair St. Paul's Cathedral in the mid 1500s, though records exist of the phrase since about 1450.
The company moved funds from the marketing budget to cover payroll, which is just robbing Peter to pay Paul.
By neglecting long-term infrastructure maintenance to fund immediate operational costs, the city council is merely robbing Peter to pay Paul.
- 01
hell to pay
Very unpleasant consequences; a great deal of trouble.
- 02
hit pay dirt
To strike it rich; to get lucky or have a big break.
- 03
pay a visit
To visit.
- 04
pay attention
To attend; to be attentive; to focus one's attention.
- 05
pay dividends
To bring about something good as a result of past effort or actions.
- 06
pay heed
To give attention; to heed.
- 07
pay homage to
to show honor or respect to; to honor; to do, make or pay obeisance to
- 08
pay off old scores
To settle old grudges by taking revenge.