ENGLISH
REFERENCE

butter one's bread on both sides

idiom
Meaning

To profit from two things at the same time, especially when those things seem contradictory or incompatible.


Examples
SIMPLE

He tries to butter his bread on both sides by working for two rivals.

CONTEXTUAL

She keeps her job at the bank while running a secret startup, effectively buttering her bread on both sides.

COMPLEX

The politician attempted to butter his bread on both sides by courting the radical activists while simultaneously securing funding from the corporate elite.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a little bit of bread and no cheese

    Used to represent the song of the yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella).

  2. 02

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  3. 03

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  4. 04

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  5. 05

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  6. 06

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  8. 08

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

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