play both ends against the middle

A form of play both sides against the middle — To manipulate opponents or competitors in a manner which benefits the manipulator.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

verbplay both ends against the middle (third-person singular simple present plays both ends against the middle, present participle playing both ends against the middle, simple past and past participle played both ends against the middle)

present singular third person plays both ends against the middle · participle present playing both ends against the middle · participle past played both ends against the middle · past played both ends against the middle

  1. alternativeAlternative form of play both sides against the middle.
Cite this entry
APA

play both ends against the middle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/play%20both%20ends%20against%20the%20middle

MLA

“play both ends against the middle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/play%20both%20ends%20against%20the%20middle. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “play both ends against the middle,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/play%20both%20ends%20against%20the%20middle.

Source: play both ends against the middle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.