phrases, sayings, proverbs and idioms at
Home button Home | Search the phrases.org.uk website Search | Phrase Dictionary | You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

The meaning and origin of the expression: You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

Other phrases about:

What's the meaning of the phrase 'You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs'?

You can't accomplish something worthwhile without creating adverse effects.

What's the origin of the phrase 'You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs'?

This proverb originated in a country known for making omelettes - France. That being said, the original version referred to pancakes rather than eggs. The earliest example I know of is listed in the OED, in the original French, as "1742 or earlier":

On ne saurait faire d'omelette sans casser des œufs

You can't make an omelette without breaking eggsThe saying was adopted into English soon afterwards. The Dublin-based news-sheet Walker's Hibernian Magazine published a piece in its May 1786 issue which described the activities of François de Charette.

Charette was a Royalist counter-revolutionary in the French Revolution. 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".

See other 'You can't' proverbs:

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink

You can't have your cake and eat it too

You can't get blood out of a stone

You can't get blood out of a turnip

You can't hold with the hare and run with the hounds

You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear

See also: the List of Proverbs.

Gary Martin - the author of the phrases.org.uk website.

By Gary Martin

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Browse phrases beginning with:
 
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T UV W XYZ Full List