To have something both ways, to have something in possession and be able to exploit or use it
Etymology:
- This phrase originated in the 16th century. If you have a cake and you have eaten your piece, then you are left with a choice either to eat it more or save or keep it. In the same way, the spent money is the one, which is no longer in your possession, all you care would be the rest of money you have. The expression actually began as “you can’t eat your cake and have it too”.
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Submitted on February 25, 2019
Translation
Find a translation for the Have Your Cake and Eat It Too phrase in other languages:
Habe deinen Kuchen und iss ihn auch.
toma tu pastel y cómelo también
készítsd el a tortád és engedd is
ambil kuenya dan makan juga
あなたのケーキを持って、それも食べてください
האָבן דיין שטיקל און עסן עס אויך
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Nearby phrases
Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to Have Your Cake and Eat It Too
head and shouldershearts and flowershave to doheave to and splice the main bracehave uphave the world by the tailhave wordshere and nowhave to do with the price of fishHave Your Heart in Your Mouthheave to and splice the main bracehave your wrist slappedhave to do with the price of tea in chi…heart and soul
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"Have Your Cake and Eat It Too." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 18 Jan. 2025. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too_44743>.
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