want your bread buttered on both sides
want (one's) bread buttered on both sides
1. To want to benefit or profit from two or more separate and often contradictory or incompatible things or sources. In trying to strike a trade deal with the two nations, it's clear that the prime minister wants his bread buttered on both sides. The CEO wants her bread buttered on both sides, secretly investing in oil companies while publicly backing green energy initiatives to gain popular support.
2. To desire easy prosperity, success, or wealth without having to make sacrifices or put in the necessary effort. Kids these days want their bread buttered on both sides. They expect high-paying jobs like it's their birthright, but they aren't willing to work their way to the top!
See also: both, bread, butter, on, side, want
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
want your bread buttered on both sides
want more than is practicable or than is reasonable to expect. informalSee also: both, bread, butter, on, side, want
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- want (one's) bread buttered on both sides
- butter (one's) bread on both sides
- you can't eat your cake and have it (too)
- you can't have your cake and eat it
- eat one's cake and have it (too)
- eat one's cake and have it, too
- have (one's) cake and eat it (too)
- have cake and eat it too
- have your cake and eat it
- you can't have your cake and eat it(, too)