Meaning: To want or enjoy two conflicting benefits at the same time, often in a way that is unrealistic or unfair.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “You can’t have your cake and eat it too—you need to either save money or buy that expensive gadget.”
- “He wants the freedom of being single but also the stability of a relationship; he’s trying to have his cake and eat it too.”
- “The company can’t cut costs and maintain high employee satisfaction—they can’t have their cake and eat it too.”
Origin:
The phrase dates back to the 1500s, with the earliest recorded usage appearing in a letter by Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, in 1538. The idea is rooted in the logic that once a cake is eaten, it can no longer be possessed. Over time, the expression became a way to criticize someone for wanting mutually exclusive advantages.
Tone:
Often critical or used to point out unrealistic expectations.
Synonyms:
- Want it both ways
- Have the best of both worlds (similar, but less critical)
- Want to eat your cake and keep it
Interesting Note:
The phrase is often reversed in older literature as “eat your cake and have it too,” which makes the impossibility more apparent.
