1. to spend or use something up but still have it; to have two things when you must choose one; to have or enjoy the good parts of something without having or dealing with the bad parts

1. You can either go to a movie or get pizza, but you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

2. I worked at home so I could raise my family and still earn money – I guess I wanted to have my cake and eat it too.

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

4. They seem to think they can have their cake and eat it too by having excellent schools for their son without paying high taxes.