work 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

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

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

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

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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