背に腹は変えられない (せにはらはかえられない) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
背に腹は変えられない
Meanings
1
expression, i-adjective
you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs; sometimes you must sacrifice a small thing for a greater need
proverb
Proverb meaning that in an emergency or when facing a bigger problem, you may have to give up something less important. Literally: 'You can't substitute the belly for the back.'