EAT ONE'S CAKE AND HAVE IT TOO

eat one's cake and have it too: translation

have one's cake and eat it too & eat one's cake and have it too

Cliché to have in one's possession something and be able to use or exploit it; to have it both ways. (Usually stated in the negative.) •

Tom wants to have his cake and eat it too. It can't be done.

•

Don't buy a car if you want to walk and stay healthy. You can't eat your cake and have it too.