What Does "Have It Both Ways" Mean?
"Have it both ways" is an English idiom. It means "to want or attempt to enjoy two incompatible or contradictory things or advantages at the same time, often in an unfair or self-serving manner."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "have it both ways" used in a sentence:- He can't have it both ways—he can't be absent from work for weeks and expect to get a promotion.
- You can't have it both ways by criticizing the government's policies while benefiting from the services it provides.
- She wants to have it both ways, keeping her current job while exploring new career opportunities.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Have It Both Ways" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
A Quick Test
You now know what "have it both ways" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!
- This test has questions.
- A correct answer is worth 5 points.
- You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
- Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
- Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
- 🏆 If you beat one of the top 10 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System
Cyber Guru (+)
Cyber Hero (+)
Cyber Captain (+)
Cyber Sergeant (+)
Cyber Recruit (+)
Cyber Guru (+)
Cyber Hero (+)
Cyber Captain (+)
Cyber Sergeant (+)
Cyber Recruit (+)
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
