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Play both sides against the middle Meaning in English

expression

PLAY BOTH SYDZ uh-GAYNST thuh MID-uhl
play BOHTH SYDZ uh-GENST thuh MID-uhl

Definition

To try to gain an advantage by secretly supporting or cooperating with opposing sides in a conflict, using information or relationships from both sides to benefit oneself.

Usage & Nuances

This is an idiomatic and often critical expression. Used when someone is seen as manipulative, taking advantage of conflicts for their own gain. Common in politics, business, or personal disputes. Not complimentary—implies a lack of loyalty or honesty.

Spanish: aprovecharse de ambos lados - jugar a dos bandasPortuguese (BR): jogar com os dois lados contra o meio - tirar partido dos dois ladosPortuguese (PT): jogar com os dois lados contra o meio - tirar partido de ambos os ladosChinese (Simplified): 两面讨好Chinese (Traditional): 兩面討好Hindi: दोनों पक्षों को एक-दूसरे के खिलाफ खेलनाArabic: اللعب على الحبلينBengali: উভয় পক্ষকেই একে অপরের বিরুদ্ধে ব্যবহার করাRussian: играть на двух фронтахJapanese: 両方にいい顔をして間に立つVietnamese: lợi dụng hai bên để trục lợiKorean: 양쪽을 이용하다Turkish: iki tarafı birbirine karşı kullanmakUrdu: دونوں طرف کو آپس میں بھڑکاناIndonesian: memainkan kedua belah pihak untuk keuntungan sendiri

Example Sentences

He tried to play both sides against the middle during the negotiations.

basic

If you play both sides against the middle, you might end up with no friends.

basic

Some politicians play both sides against the middle to get more power.

basic

She always tries to play both sides against the middle at work, so no one really trusts her.

natural

You can't play both sides against the middle forever—eventually, people will catch on.

natural

Ever since he started to play both sides against the middle, his reputation has suffered.

natural