play both sides of the fence

Question

play both sides of the fenceWhat does this mean?not in dictionary

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Anonymousplay both sides of the fence

There are many versions of this. I've even heard "He's playing both ends against the middle."
It's something like "hedging your bets."
(He works both sides of the fence. NOT He works on both sides of the fence.)

In a contest/argument/etc. a person is usually on one side or the other --- a member of one team or the other.

But some people contrive to be members of both teams at the same time (figuratively speaking), so that whatever the outcome they will stand to gain, or benefit from the rewards.

I suppose it could be compared to being a "double agent" in the field of counterespionage, except these expressions usually imply that the person is out for personal gain, rather than serving some worthy cause.

Anonymous · Answer

Example: Somebody telling one person one thing and another person another thing about the same situation to keep both happy.

*Telllimg one person you voted for Trump and the other that you voted for Hilary

play both sides of the fence

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