played both sides against the middle

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

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Meanings

verb
  1. participlepastsimple past and past participle of play both sides against the middle
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

Source: played both sides against the middle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.