Have your cake and eat it

Pro Tip 1/3

Impossibility Emphasis

This phrase stresses the impossibility of having two conflicting desires met at the same time.

He wants a high-paying job without working hard; he's trying to have his cake and eat it.

Pro Tip 2/3

Unrealistic Expectations

Using this phrase suggests that someone's expectations are unrealistic or greedy.

You can't expect to party all night and still perform well on the test; you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Pro Tip 3/3

Common Uses

It's often used to highlight someone's awareness of the need to make a choice.

If you buy a house, you can't travel as much—you can't have your cake and eat it.