plays 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. indicativepresentsingularthird personthird-person singular simple present indicative of play both sides against the middle
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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