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You cannot have your cake and eat it Meaning in English

expression

YOO KAN-not, kuh-NOT HAV YOR, YOOR KAYK AND, und IT, IT
YOO kuh-NOT HAV YAW KAYK AND EET IT

Definition

You cannot enjoy two conflicting benefits at the same time; if you use up something, you can't still have it. This expression is used when someone wants to do or have two things that are impossible together.

Usage & Nuances

This is a proverb, typically used to point out someone's desire for two incompatible things. It's often directed at unrealistic expectations or when someone wants both options without compromise. In everyday speech, it's sometimes shortened to 'have your cake and eat it.'

Spanish: no se puede tener todo en la vida - no se puede tener el pastel y comerlo tambiénPortuguese (BR): não se pode ter tudo - não dá para ter o bolo e comê-loPortuguese (PT): não se pode ter tudo - não se pode ter o bolo e comê-loChinese (Simplified): 鱼与熊掌不可兼得 - 不能既要蛋糕又要吃蛋糕Chinese (Traditional): 魚與熊掌不可兼得 - 不能既要蛋糕又要喫蛋糕Hindi: दो नावों पर सवार नहीं हो सकते - आप केक को रख भी नहीं सकते और खा भी नहीं सकतेArabic: لا يمكنك أن تجمع بين شيئين متناقضين - لا يمكنك أن تحتفظ بالكعكة وتأكلهاBengali: এক ঢিলে দুই পাখি মারা যায় না - দুই পক্ষই একসাথে পাওয়া যায় নাRussian: и волки сыты, и овцы целы не бывает - нельзя усидеть на двух стульяхJapanese: 一石二鳥はできない - 二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ずVietnamese: không thể vừa ăn bánh vừa giữ bánh - không thể có cả haiKorean: 두 마리 토끼를 다 잡을 수 없다 - 둘 다 가질 수 없다Turkish: hem kekimi yiyeyim hem kekim dursun olmaz - iki şeyi birden elde edemezsinUrdu: آپ ایک ساتھ دونوں چیزیں نہیں حاصل کر سکتے - دو کشتیوں کا سوار ڈوبتا ہےIndonesian: tidak bisa mengambil dua keuntungan sekaligus - tidak bisa makan kue dan tetap memilikinya

Example Sentences

You cannot have your cake and eat it if you want to spend money and save it at the same time.

basic

He wants to work less but earn more — well, you cannot have your cake and eat it.

basic

You cannot have your cake and eat it if you refuse to compromise.

basic

Look, you cannot have your cake and eat it. Sometimes you have to choose one or the other.

natural

I know you want both weekends free and extra pay, but you cannot have your cake and eat it!

natural

Everyone dreams of balance, but sometimes you cannot have your cake and eat it — you have to give up something.

natural