you, he, etc. can’t win

idiomPart ofwin

you, he, etc. can’t win — idiom

1. Used to say that a situation has no good outcome no matter what you do.

1.idiom
Definition

Used to say that a situation has no good outcome no matter what you do.

Example

If I stay late, I'm tired; if I leave early, I'm lazy. I can't win.

He can't win: if he speaks up, he's rude; if he stays quiet, he's ignored.