English Reference

Idiom

split the baby

Meaning

To resolve a dispute in a way that is disadvantageous to both parties.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Examples

“The judge decided to split the baby to end the argument.”

“Instead of choosing one winner, the manager tried to split the baby, leaving both employees unhappy with the result.”

“By attempting to split the baby in the contract negotiations, the mediator inadvertently ensured that neither company walked away satisfied with the final terms.”

Examples

simple

“The judge decided to split the baby to end the argument.”

contextual

“Instead of choosing one winner, the manager tried to split the baby, leaving both employees unhappy with the result.”

complex

“By attempting to split the baby in the contract negotiations, the mediator inadvertently ensured that neither company walked away satisfied with the final terms.”

Origin

In reference to the Judgment of Solomon.

Key words

Related idioms

This entry

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English Reference