can't have the cake and eat it vs can't have your cake and eat it

Both phrases are correct, but the more common and widely used version is 'you can't have your cake and eat it too.' This phrase means that you can't have everything the way you want it; sometimes you have to make choices.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 701 views

can't have the cake and eat it

This phrase is correct but less common than the alternative version.

This phrase means that you can't have everything the way you want it; sometimes you have to make choices.

Show examples from the web [+]

Celebrities can't have their star-studded cake and eat it, too.
- Can't have your cake and eat it.
- People say you can't have your cake and eat it too.
You can't have your cake and eat it to
You can't have your cake and eat it too.
So, they can totally have their cake and eat it, too.
We cannot have our cake and eat it.
You found an absolutely charming way to have your cake and eat it too.
You know, adult break-ups are myths perpetrated by women so they can have their cake and eat it, too.
But I like to have my cake and eat it, too.
But I like to have my cake and eat it, too.
You can have your cake and eat it, too.
I think I might know how we can have our spy cake and eat it, too.
You cannot have your fudge cake and eat it by denying such inherent flexibility in the Treaty.
I'm from the "have your cake and eat it, too" school of decision making.
We need to find a golden mean, so that we can have our cake and eat it.
Again on the question of this whole issue of relative stability, I would also like to point out that one cannot have one's cake and eat it.
I guess I'm more of a cake-and-eat-it-too kind of girl.
In other words, there is a conflict between the parafiscal and fiscal aims - you cannot have your cake and eat it.
Chloe, one of Emily's big challenges is her "have her cake and eat it too" mentality.

Alternatives:

can't have your cake and eat it

can't have your cake and eat it

This is the more common and widely used version of the phrase.

This phrase means that you can't have everything the way you want it; sometimes you have to make choices.

Show examples from the web [+]

- People say you can't have your cake and eat it too.
You can't have your cake and eat it to
- Can't have your cake and eat it.
You can't have your cake and eat it too.
You found an absolutely charming way to have your cake and eat it too.
You can have your cake and eat it, too.
I'm from the "have your cake and eat it, too" school of decision making.
In other words, there is a conflict between the parafiscal and fiscal aims - you cannot have your cake and eat it.
I want you to have your cake and eat it, too.
I have the impression, and I shall use a proverb to express myself, that you want to have your cake and eat it.
You cannot have your cake and eat her, Brian.
and you can have your cake and eat it too
You can not have your cake and eat it, doctor?
You cannot have your cake and eat it, meaning, in this case, that you cannot have both the internal market and exceptions for certain Swiss cantons.
Because, Sherman, you can't have your cake and edict, too.
Colonel, all I can say is, you can't have your cake and shoot it, too.
You ever have one of those "have your cake and eat it, too" days?
You remember how you said... you hoped today would be your first "have your cake and eat it, too" day?
You ever have one of those "have your cake and eat it, too" days?
You remember how you said... you hoped today would be your first "have your cake and eat it, too" day?

Alternatives:

can't have the cake and eat it

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can't have the cake and eat it vs can't have your cake and eat it