rob Peter to pay Paul
rob Peter to pay Paul {v. phr.}
To change one duty or need for another; take from one person or thing to pay another.
Bill owed Sam a dollar, so he borrowed another from Joe to pay Sam back. He robbed Peter to pay Paul.
Trying to study a lesson for one class during another class is like robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Categories:
Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
