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In for a penny, in for a pound!

"If you're going to take a risk at all, you might as well make it a big risk."

From an old British expression (thus "pound" instead of "dollar"); the original reference was probably to theft (though this is not certain), saying that being arrested ("taken in") for stealing a small amount is just as bad as for a large amount, so you may as well steal a lot and hope to get away with it.

An equivalent expression is, "As well hanged for a sheep as a lamb", where it's implied that you are stealing the animal. If the punishment for failure is the same, you may as well try for the largest possible reward.

The phrase is often misused with reference to a punishment that is out of proportion to a crime, but this is not the actual meaning.

"I could get fired just for talking to you. Well... in for a penny, in for a pound! Come on in."

by Keenath January 17, 2008

378👍 84👎


flash bastard

British slang for a rich person who exhibits poor taste. The high society version of a chav.

Originally Victorian slang for an illegitimate child who presents himself as if he were a true heir; a person who often acts above their station.

Jerry's been checking the time all night just so he can show off his Rolex, the flash bastard.

by Keenath July 11, 2008

46👍 7👎