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Idioms & Expressions
You can't have your cake and eat it too
When someone wants incompatible things
Literal Meaning
It is impossible to have a cake and also consume it at the same time.
Actual Meaning
You can't have everything; you must make choices
Examples in Context

'Want freedom but security? Can't have cake and eat it too.' (Translation: Choose one)

Helpful Tips
  • 1Trade-offs exist
  • 2Can't have both
  • 3Must choose
Phrase Thesaurus
Similar words and synonyms for this phrase
you can't have it all
you can't do both
you can't win them all
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All hat, no cattle
It is what it is