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you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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1796 in English, from French, on ne saurait faire d’omelette sans casser des œufs (1742 and earlier), attributed to François de Charette.[1]

Proverb

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you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

  1. In order to achieve something, it is inevitable and necessary that some mistakes are made or some sacrifices must occur.
    • 1796, Walker's Hibernian Magazine:[1]
      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.

Translations

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See also

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References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 Oxford English Dictionary, 1884–1928, and First Supplement, 1933.