You cannot sell the cow and drink the milk
You cannot enjoy the milk and have at the same time the advantages of the money got for the cow. In the other words, you must have one thing or the other, not both.
Proverbs starting with letter Y
You cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds
Figuratively, 'running with hare and hunting with the hounds' is the deceitful behaviour of one who fights of one who fights on one side and gives secret help to the other side. Terms for these... Read more →
You cannot put old heads on young shoulders
You cannot expect young people to be a wise and prudent as their elders.
You cannot make bricks without straw
Nothing can be made without the necessary materials. 'The trouble is, said the captain of the Cricket Club at a meeting of the committee, that young chaps today aren’t interested in the game , so... Read more →
You cannot make an omelet without breaking eggs
You cannot expect to get something for nothing. You must be prepared to make sacrifices in order to gain your ends. 'We shall be much more comfortable in our new house, but I’m afraid it’s not... Read more →
You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear
Dr Brewer had this to say: 'You must have the necessary materials of facilities before you can make or do what you are expected to ... A sow's ear may somewhat resemble a purse, but it cannot be made... Read more →
You cannot make a crab walk straight
This warns us never to attempt the impossible. You can no more make a grab walk any way but sideways than you can change a person's character.
You are what you eat
The proverb promotes the idea that to be fit and healthy you need to eat well and consume good food. If you eat well, you will be healthy; but if you eat badly you will have a bad health. You can... Read more →
You cannot have your cake and eat it
This is sometimes give as: 'You cannot eat your cake and have it.' They both mean the same thing, which is that if a choice has to be made between alternatives, you must have one or the other, not... Read more →
You cannot have it both ways
You may not choose first one and then the other alternative in order to suit your own convenience. It is often used in argument when an opponent shifts his ground.
