have it both ways
Synonym of have one's cake and eat it too.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“You cannot have it both ways in this argument.”
“He wants to work from home but also demands a desk at the office; he cannot have it both ways.”
“The politician attempted to appease both sides of the debate, yet one cannot have it both ways when the core values are fundamentally opposed.”
- 01
a little of something goes a long way
Only a small amount of something is usually required to produce a great effect.
- 02
all the way to Egery and back
The long way; a roundabout route; a long distance to travel.
- 03
by the way
Irrelevantly, off-topic.
- 04
come a long way
To make significant progress.
- 05
cry all the way to the bank
To be happy due to the receipt of money, but sad about the cause.
- 06
cut both ways
To have both benefits and drawbacks.
- 07
die the way one lived
To die because of or after doing something characteristic of oneself, especially something that one enjoyed doing.
- 08
don't let the door hit you on the way out
Used as a command to leave in haste, or to indicate that one is glad, or at least unmoved, to see the addressed person leaving.
Last updated August 10, 2026