What Does "Play Both Sides Against the Middle" Mean?
"Play both sides against the middle" is an English idiom. It means "to manipulate or take advantage of opposing parties or individuals in a conflict to one's own benefit; to play two sides against each other."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "play both sides against the middle" used in a sentence:- The cunning negotiator tried to play both sides against the middle to secure a better deal for himself.
- In a political rivalry, some candidates attempt to play both sides against the middle to gain support from different groups.
- She warned her friends not to trust anyone trying to play both sides against the middle in their disputes.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Play Both Sides Against the Middle" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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