you break it, you buy it

you break it, you buy it

1. (figurative) If you damage, harm or destroy something, you are responsible for repairing it or accepting the consequences.
   • 2010, Mark Lawrence Schrad, The Political Power of Bad Ideas: Networks, Institutions,, page 131:

     In perhaps history's greatest instance of “you break it, you buy it,” the wartime imperial government bought millions of gallons of unused vodka.

   • 2011, Anna Simmons, ‎Joe McGraw, ‎Duane Lauchengco, The Sovereignty Solution: A Common Sense Approach to Global Security, page 140:

     Diplomats need to make it clear that we completely eschew the "you break it, you buy it” rule. In the future, we'll break it if others force us to.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see break,‎ buy.

• Pottery Barn rule