ways

cut both ways

to affect both sides of an issue equally. Remember that your suggestion that costs should be shared cuts both ways. Your division will have to reduce its budget as well. If our side cannot take along supporters to the game, then yours cannot either. The rule has to cut both ways.

See also: both, cut

have it both ways

to have both of two incompatible things. John wants the security of marriage and the freedom of being single. He wants to have it both ways. John thinks he can have it both ways—the wisdom of old age and the vigor of youth.

See also: both, have

It cuts two ways.

Inf. There are two sides to the situation. You have to help, too. It cuts two ways. It cuts two ways, you know. It can't always all be my fault.

See also: cut, two

mend one's ways

Fig. to improve one's behavior. John used to be very wild, but he's mended his ways. You'll have to mend your ways if you go out with Mary. She hates people to be late.

See also: mend

no two ways about it

no choice about it; no other interpretation of it. (Note the form there's rather than there are.) You have to go to the doctor whether you like it or not. There's no two ways about it. This letter means you're in trouble with the tax people. There's no two ways about it.

See also: two

parting of the ways

a point at which people separate and go their own ways. (Often with come to a, arrive at a, reach a, etc.) Jane and Bob finally came to a parting of the ways. Bill and his parents reached a parting of the ways.

See also: parting

set in one's ways

leading a fixed lifestyle; living according to one's own established patterns. At her age, she's getting sort of set in her ways. If you weren't so set in your ways, you'd be able to understand young people better.

See also: set

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(There's) no two ways about it.

something that you say in order to emphasize that something is true Patricia was the meanest person I've ever met. No two ways about it.

See also: two

change/mend your ways

to improve the way in which you behave If he wants to carry on living here, he's going to have to change his ways.

See also: change

cut both/two ways

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

See also: both, cut

see the error of your ways

to understand that you have been behaving badly and to decide to improve your behaviour It's the story of a corrupt policeman who finally sees the error of his ways.

See also: error, see

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: both, swing

the parting of the ways

the point at which two people or organizations separate The parting of the ways came after a series of disagreements between the manager and the group's singer.

See also: parting

ways and means

methods of achieving something (often + of ) Surely there are ways and means of achieving our objectives which don't involve spending quite so much money.

See no two ways about it

See also: and, mean

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change your ways also mend your ways

to improve your behavior If he wants to continue living here, he's going to have to change his ways.

See also: change

cut both ways

to have both advantages and disadvantages work both ways 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: both, cut

go your separate ways

to end your relationship We were good friends in college, but after graduation we went our separate ways. The two firms went their separate ways about 18 months ago.

See also: separate

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.

Related vocabulary: square the circle

See also: both, have

no two ways about it

there is no doubt about something She just fell madly in love with him, no two ways about it.

See also: two

parting of the ways

a separation of two things or people because of a disagreement We came to a parting of the ways because of our different ideas about what should be done to move the company forward.

Related vocabulary: part company (with somebody)

See also: parting

quite a ways (spoken)

a long distance We're quite a ways from the Mexican border here.

See also: quite

see the error of your/its ways (slightly formal)

to accept that you have been wrong about something What can we do to make Tim see the error of his ways? The industry needs to see the error of its ways and adopt these new safety standards.

See also: error, see

ways and means

methods of achieving something She spent years exploring ways and means of improving children's nutrition.

See also: and, mean

work both ways

1. 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.

2. to have both advantages and disadvantages cut both ways 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.

See also: both, work