play both sides against the middle (English, verb)
expansion: play both sides against the middle (third-person singular simple present plays both sides against the middle, present participle playing both sides against the middle, simple past and past participle played both sides against the middle)
Senses:
glosses: To manipulate opponents or competitors in a manner which benefits the manipulator.
tags: idiomatic
Forms:
form: plays both sides against the middle
tags: present
singular
third-person
form: playing both sides against the middle
tags: participle
present
form: played both sides against the middle
tags: participle
past
form: played both sides against the middle
tags: past
form: play both ends against the middle
tags: alternative
form: work both ends against the middle
tags: alternative
form: work both sides against the middle
tags: alternative