both (redirected from had it both ways)

be speaking/talking out of both sides of your mouth (American)

to say different things about the same subject when you are with different people in order to always please the people you are with. How can we trust any politicians when we know they're speaking out of both sides of their mouths?

See also: mouth, side, speaking, talk

the best of both worlds

if you get the best of both worlds, you get the advantages of two different things at the same time. She works in the city and lives in the country, so she gets the best of both worlds. With these delicious but healthy recipes you can have the best of both worlds.

See also: best, world

burn the candle at both ends

to get little sleep or rest because you are busy until late every night and you get up early every morning. She'd been burning the candle at both ends studying for her exams and made herself ill. (usually in continuous tenses)

See also: burn, candle, end

cut both/two ways

to have two different effects at the same time, usually one good and one bad. Censorship cuts both ways; it prevents people from being corrupted, but it often also prevents them from knowing what is really going on. (never in continuous tenses)

See also: cut, two, ways

have your/both feet on the ground

keep your/both feet on the ground - to not have your character spoilt by becoming famous or successful. Acting is a tough profession and you need to have both feet on the ground if you're going to survive.

See also: feet, ground

have/keep a foot in both camps

to be involved with two groups of people who often have very different aims and opinions. He has moved from fringe to mainstream theatre, but he still keeps a foot in both camps.

See also: camp, foot, keep

jump in with both feet

to become involved in something very quickly, often without thinking carefully about it first. Take time to think things over before you make a decision, don't jump straight in with both feet.

See also: feet, jump

keep your/both feet on the ground

to not have your character spoilt by becoming famous or successful. Friends say she's kept her feet firmly on the ground - fame hasn't changed her.

See also: feet, ground, keep

play both ends against the middle (American, informal)

to try to make two people or groups compete with each other in order to get an advantage for yourself. He's playing both ends against the middle - telling two prospective employers that the other has offered a higher salary.

See also: against, end, middle, play

swing both ways (informal)

to be sexually attracted to both men and women. I've seen her out with men as well. She swings both ways, you know.

See also: swing, ways

the worst of both worlds

the best of both worlds - if you get the best of both worlds, you get the advantages of two different things at the same time. Farmers have the worst of both worlds: low prices for their products, and no guarantee they'll be able to sell them.

See also: world, worst

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the best of both worlds

the most enjoyable or attractive features of two different things. I have the best of both worlds because I live in the country but have a very large metropolitan area only an hour away from me.

the worst of both worlds

See also: best, world

burn the candle at both ends

to regularly stay awake late and get up early because you are too busy. I'm busy trying to get ready for the holidays and burning the candle at both ends.

See also: burn, candle, end

cut both ways

to have both advantages and disadvantages. The Internet cuts both ways – it not only opens borders, it draws boundaries between the people who have it and those who do not.

See also: cut, ways

have it both ways

to satisfy two opposing groups or opinions. Americans want to have it both ways, saying they strongly believe in certain principles while reserving the right not to apply them in difficult situations.

Usage notes: often used in the form not have it both ways: I don't see how critics can say that it won't be effective and that it will be too tough – you can't have it both ways.A tough one to define--SL, 10/02 / 2/03 -cb

square the circle

See also: ways

jump in with both feet

to become involved in something quickly and completely. When she decides to get involved, she jumps in with both feet.

jump in

See also: feet, jump

talk out of both sides of your mouth

to say different things to different people about the same subject. How can we trust him when we know he talks out of both sides of his mouth?

See also: mouth, side, talk

with both barrels

with as much energy as possible. I always get in trouble for not letting you talk, and now I'm getting it with both barrels because I did let you talk.

Etymology: based on the idea of shooting with a gun that has two barrels (= tubes from which bullets are shot)

See also: barrel

work both ways

1. to have both advantages and disadvantages. Installing the new computer system works both ways – we'll have better control of our business, but we'll lose some of our best workers.

2. to have a similar or equal effect on each side. Asking for sacrifices has to work both ways – workers and management both have to accept cuts.

See also: ways, work

the worst of both worlds

the least satisfactory parts of two different things. By making his parents and his teachers angry with him, Jim seemed to have the worst of both worlds.

the best of both worlds

See also: world, worst