I'm looking for an english equivalent to a swedish proverb about making up for lost money on item A by getting as much in on item B, over here it goes approximately like this; what the circus looses on the swings it gets back on the merry-go-round". Does this ring any bells for someone?

I'm looking for an english equivalent to a swedish proverb about making up for lost money on item A by getting as much in on item B, over here it goes approximately like this; what the circus looses on the swings it gets back on the merry-go-round". Does this ring any bells for someone?


I get the meaning, and I know there must be an English equivalent.  It's describing what marketing people here call a loss leader.  I wonder if searching for loss leader proverbs might turn something up.

"What one loses on the swings one gains on the roundabouts." ?

As t'other Philip says: Swings and roundabouts... what you lose on the swings, you gain on the roundabout.

(Or the Marillion lyric: "I'm losing on the swings, I'm losing on the roundabouts")

My dictionary says that roundabouts are basically the same thing as merry-go-rounds, so I conclude that the swedish version is basically a transition of the english proverb and that I was darn closer than I thought from the start. Thanks for helping me out!  :)

My dictionary says that roundabouts are basically the same thing as merry-go-rounds, so I conclude that the swedish version is basically a transition of the english proverb and that I was darn closer than I thought from the start. Thanks for helping me out!  :)
No problem and I hope it is useful for you.