God doesn't give with both hands
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Nobody is gifted or lucky in all areas; someone who has talents of one kind will have flaws of another.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
"Here's the thing: pretty and funny and a good actress—that's a hard combination," says casting director Lisa Miller Katz (Everybody Loves Raymond). 'God doesn't give with both hands' is the saying."
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “God doesn't give with both hands” mean?
Nobody is gifted or lucky in all areas; someone who has talents of one kind will have flaws of another.
Is “God doesn't give with both hands” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.