needs must when the devil drives
English edit
Etymology edit
Needs (“of necessity, necessarily”, adverb) must (“one must”, impersonal) when the devil drives.
Proverb edit
needs must when the devil drives
- There is sometimes no choice but to do some specific thing.
- 1664, Charles Cotton, Scarronides; or, Virgile Travestie:
- He needs must goe, the Devil drives.
Synonyms edit
- needs must (short form)
- necessity knows no law
Translations edit
there is sometimes no choice but to do something
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