playing 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. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of play both sides against the middle
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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