heart is in the right place
have one's heart in the right place
To be kind-hearted, sympathetic or well-meaning; have good intentions.
All the tramps and stray dogs in the neighborhood knew that Mrs. Brown's heart was in the right place.
Tom looks very rough but his heart is in the right place.
hide one's head in the sand
bury one's head in the sand
have one's head in the sand
put one's head in the sand
To keep from seeing, knowing, or understanding something dangerous or unpleasant; to refuse to see or face something.
"Прятать голову в песок"; избегать информации о неприятных, опасных ситуациях.
Get your head out of the sand and handle the problem.
Перестань прятать голову в песок и реши эту проблему.
If there is a war, you cannot just bury your head in the sand.
if you can't lick them, join them
If you cannot defeat an opponent or get him to change his attitude, plans, or ways of doing things, the best thing to do is to change your ideas, plans, etc.
"The small car manufacturers are winning over the big car makers," the president of an American car factory said. "If we want to stay in business, we must do as they do. In other words, if you can't lick them, join them."