work 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.

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Meanings

verbwork both ends against the middle (third-person singular simple present works both ends against the middle, present participle working both ends against the middle, simple past and past participle worked both ends against the middle)

present singular third person works both ends against the middle · participle present working both ends against the middle · participle past worked both ends against the middle · past worked both ends against the middle

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

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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