ride two horses at once

ride two horses at once

To do (or attempt to do) two or more things simultaneously, often when those things conflict or are at odds with one another. The prime minister is clearly riding two horses at once—trying to fulfill his promises to the public to lower taxes, while also trying to find the money to help the country's struggling economy. When I was a younger actor, I was constantly riding two horses at once, taking on as many roles as I could—even if they overlapped.
See also: horse, once, ride, two
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • ride two horses at the same time
  • graft
  • being
  • a ton of (people or things)
  • that's (just) how it goes
  • that's (just) the way it goes
  • that's (just) the way it is
  • that's (just) the way it plays
  • That's the way it goes
  • the way it plays
References in periodicals archive
"Sinn Fein are trying to ride two horses at once," said John Barry, professor of politics at Queen's University Belfast.
THE IRISH QUESTIONS; POLITICAL TURMOIL IN DUBLIN'S FAIR CITY The 100th anniversary of Ireland's Easter Rising is looming. Here, JAMIE MAXWELL takes the temperature in a country at another political crossroads
But, as was once said, if you can't ride two horses at once, you shouldn't be part of a circus.
Britain needs to change Europe - from the inside
The lawyer said it was the "worst decision of his life" and that he was trying to "ride two horses at once".
COP ON THE DOUBLE; He worked as mercenary in Iraq while on sick from PSNI
Speaking at the Labour Party Conference in Blackpool he said: "You cannot ride two horses at once. Especially if the two horses are as far apart as violence and democracy." Dr Reid accepted republicans were committed to a united Ireland through democracy.
REID IN SF PEACE PLEA
He said: "You cannot continue to ride two horses at once. Especially if the two horses are as far apart as violence and democracy."
LABOUR AT BLACKPOOL: Reid: IRA must give up violence
"Of course it was disappointing to miss a Hennessy winner, but you can't ride two horses at once and maybe this will be our turn.
RACING: CARL'S REAL BEAU-TY; Llewellyn plots Kempton win