# take sides

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/take-sides
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To ally oneself with a given opinion, agenda or group; to support one side or viewpoint in a competition or confrontation.

## Examples

- Please do not take sides in our argument.
- When my two friends started fighting, I refused to take sides because I like them both.
- In the midst of the heated political debate, the moderator struggled to remain neutral and avoid taking sides.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.