one may as well hang for a sheep as a lamb

proverb

If one is going to commit a sin, it may as well be a major one as a minor one.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

proverb
  1. If one is going to commit a sin, it may as well be a major one as a minor one.

Origin

Referring to hanging as a former means of execution for one who had stolen an animal.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 一不做二不休
  • 一不做二不休Translations
Finnish joka leikkiin ryhtyy, se leikin kestäköön
  • joka leikkiin ryhtyy, se leikin kestäköönTranslations
Japanese 毒を喰らわば皿まで
  • 毒を喰らわば皿まで (dokuwokurawabasaramade)Translations
Polish lepiej iść na całość
  • lepiej iść na całośćTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

one may as well hang for a sheep as a lamb. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/one%20may%20as%20well%20hang%20for%20a%20sheep%20as%20a%20lamb

MLA

“one may as well hang for a sheep as a lamb.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/one%20may%20as%20well%20hang%20for%20a%20sheep%20as%20a%20lamb. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “one may as well hang for a sheep as a lamb,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/one%20may%20as%20well%20hang%20for%20a%20sheep%20as%20a%20lamb.

Source: one may as well hang for a sheep as a lamb on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.