meglio tirare a campare che tirare le cuoia

Italian

Etymology

Literally, “better to get along than die”. From a quote by former Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti. First attested in 1991.

Proverb

meglio tirare a campare che tirare le cuoia

1. it is better to advance one's own interests (even through illicit or questionable means) than to surrender oneself; it is best to look out for oneself before examining moral considerations; one's got to do what one's got to do

Usage notes

• A play on words that ties two Italian expressions that both use the verb tirare: tirare a campare (“to get along; to survive”) and tirare le cuoia (“to die; to kick the bucket”).