you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

English

Alternative forms

• you've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette

Etymology

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

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

you've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette — see you've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette

See also

• the cat would eat fish but would not wet her feet
• you don't get something for nothing

References

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

• Let's Resolve in the New Year to Stop Using That Expression About Breaking Eggs and Making Omelets, Mike Vuolo, Slate