How to Pronounce "play both sides against the middle"
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.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈpɫeɪ/ /ˈboʊθ/ /ˈsaɪdz/ /əˈɡeɪnst/, /əˈɡɛnst/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈmɪdəɫ
British English
plˈeɪ/ /bˈəʊθ/ /sˈaɪdz/ /ɐɡˈɛnst/ /ðə, ði/ /mˈɪdəl
Simplified Pronunciation
US
PLAY BOTH SYDZ uh-GAYNST thuh MID-uhl
UK
play BOHTH SYDZ uh-GENST thuh MID-uhl
Listen in Context
He tried to play both sides against the middle during the negotiations.
If you play both sides against the middle, you might end up with no friends.
Some politicians play both sides against the middle to get more power.
She always tries to play both sides against the middle at work, so no one really trusts her.