cut off one's flesh to cure a boil -- a makeshift to tide over a present difficulty; cut off some flesh to patch up an ulcer -- silly work; cut out a piece of one's flesh to cure a boil; cut out good flesh to heal a sore; cut out some flesh for patching up a wound; resort to a remedy worse than the ailment; resort to a stopgap measure detrimental to long-term interests; rob one's belly to cover one's back; rob Peter to pay Paul; sacrifice one's interest for the advancement of another; sinking [throwing] good money after bad