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Definition 2024


avoir_le_beurre_et_l'argent_du_beurre

le beurre et l'argent du beurre

French

Noun

le beurre et l'argent du beurre m (uncountable)

  1. (idiomatic) Two mutually exclusive things, such that one can only choose one over another; having one's cake and eating it too.
    Tu ne peux pas avoir le beurre et l’argent du beurre.
    You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Usage notes

  • While the French expression is used mostly with avoir and vouloir, a variety of construction with verbs such as obtenir or garder are possible, unlike in English.