have it both ways

have it both ways
have it both ways
(usu with a neg) to benefit from two actions, situations, arguments, etc, each of which excludes the possibility, validity, etc of the other
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Main Entry: ↑way

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have it both ways phrase
to want to have the benefit from two possibilities when you can only choose one

You can’t have it both ways, Paul. What’s more important, your family or your job?

Thesaurus: to have, or to take advantage of, an opportunitysynonym
Main entry: way

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I
benefit from two incompatible ways of thinking or behaving

countries cannot have it both ways: the cost of a cleaner environment may sometimes be fewer jobs

II
see both

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have/want it ˈboth ways idiom
to have or want to have the advantages of two different situations or ways of behaving that are impossible to combine

•

You can't have it both ways. If you can afford to go out all the time, you can afford to pay off some of your debts.

Main entry: ↑wayidiom

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • have it both ways — ► have it both ways benefit from two incompatible ways of thinking or behaving. Main Entry: ↑both …   English terms dictionary

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  • have it both ways — let it go and still have it, have your cake...    You can t be married and single. You can t have it both ways …   English idioms

  • have it both ways — to want to have the benefit from two possibilities when you can only choose one You can t have it both ways, Paul. What s more important, your family or your job? …   English dictionary

  • have it both ways — benefit from two incompatible ways of thinking or behaving. → both ways …   English new terms dictionary

  • can't have it both ways — you have to choose one or the other; cannot have your cake...    When children are allowed to make choices, they learn that they can t have it both ways …   English idioms

  • both ways — adverb & adjective another term for each way. Phrases have it both ways benefit from two incompatible ways of thinking or behaving …   English new terms dictionary

  • want it both ways — have/want it ˈboth ways idiom to have or want to have the advantages of two different situations or ways of behaving that are impossible to combine • You can t have it both ways. If you can afford to go out all the time, you can afford to pay off …   Useful english dictionary

  • Lonely Runs Both Ways — Infobox Album Name = Lonely Runs Both Ways Type = Album Artist = Alison Krauss Union Station Released = November 23 2004 Recorded = 2004 at 17 Grand Recording, Blackbird Studio and Minutia Recording Studio, Nashville Genre = Bluegrass Length = 47 …   Wikipedia

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