Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

I'm wondering how common is the phrase, "I'll take (or eat) the broken egg?"  When you prepare eggs over easy for your family, it's inevitable that at least one will have a broken yolk, and as a result, be less desirable.  We have come to use the term more generally for a member of the family who is always make a sacrifice of any kind for the common good, particularly if the attitude is, "don't worry about me.  I'll eat the broken egg."