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Region: General | Usage example: You'll have to cut expenses; you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs.

You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs

Meaning

Some disruption is required to achieve a difficult goal.

Usage

Justifies unpopular changes that lead to better results.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

A culinary proverb from 18th-century France about sacrifice.

Added to English collections of proverbs in the 1700s.

Related Idioms

As sure as eggs is eggs

Absolutely certain.

Make your mark

Achieve recognition or influence.

Up the creek without a paddle

In a difficult situation with no obvious way out.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.