both

*foot in both camps

Fig. an interest in or to support each of two opposing groups of people. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) The shop steward had been promised a promotion and so had a foot in both camps during the strike—workers and management. Mr. Smith has a foot in both camps in the parent-teacher dispute. He teaches math, but he has a son at the school.

See also: camp, foot

*best of both worlds

a situation wherein one can enjoy two different opportunities. (*Typically: enjoy ~; have ~; live in ~.) When Don was a fellow at the university, he had the privileges of a professor and the freedom of a student. He had the best of both worlds. Donna hated to have to choose between retirement and continuing working. She wanted to do both so she could live in the best of both worlds.

See also: best, world

both sheets in the wind

intoxicated. (A ship's sheets are the ropes or lines that control the sails. See also three sheets in the wind.) She's both sheets in the wind at the moment. She's not just both sheets in the wind—they're all in the wind.

See also: sheet, wind

burn the candle at both ends

Fig. to work very hard and stay up very late at night. (One end of the candle is work done in the daylight, and the other end is work done at night.) No wonder Mary is ill. She has been burning the candle at both ends for a long time. You'll wear out if you keep burning the candle at both ends.

See also: burn, candle, end

can't find one's butt with both hands (in broad daylight)

Sl. is stupid or incompetent. (Use caution with butt, which is often considered crude.) Why did they put Jim in charge? He can't find his butt with both hands! Tom: Jane seems like a bright girl. Bill: You've got to be kidding! She couldn't find her butt with both hands in broad daylight!

See also: butt, find, hand

cut both ways

to affect both sides of an issue equally. Remember that your suggestion that costs should be shared cuts both ways. Your division will have to reduce its budget as well. If our side cannot take along supporters to the game, then yours cannot either. The rule has to cut both ways.

See also: cut, ways

dive in with both feet and jump in with both feet

Fig. to become completely involved with something quickly, especially something new. I had never done anything like this before, but I just jumped in with both feet and learned it in no time.

See also: dive, feet

have it both ways

to have both of two incompatible things. John wants the security of marriage and the freedom of being single. He wants to have it both ways. John thinks he can have it both ways—the wisdom of old age and the vigor of youth.

See also: have, ways

keep one's feet on the ground and have one's feet on the ground

Fig. to remain calm and stable. You will do all right if you have your feet on the ground. Don't get carried away. Just keep your feet on the ground and you will do fine.

See also: feet, ground, keep

land (up)on both feet and land (up)on one's feet 

1. Lit. to end up on both feet after a jump, dive, etc. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) She jumped over the bicycle and landed upon both feet. Donna made the enormous leap and landed on her feet.

2. Fig. to come out of something well; to survive something satisfactorily. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) It was a rough period in his life, but when it was over he landed on both feet. At least, after it was over I landed on my feet.

See also: feet, land

play both ends (against the middle)

Fig. [for one] to scheme in a way that pits two sides against each other (for one's own gain). I told my brother that Mary doesn't like him. Then I told Mary that my brother doesn't like her. They broke up, so now I can have the car this weekend. I succeeded in playing both ends against the middle. If you try to play both ends, you're likely to get in trouble with both sides.

See also: end, play

with one hand tied behind one's back and with both hands tied behind one's back

Fig. even if under a handicap; easily. I could put an end to this argument with one hand tied behind my back. John could do this job with both hands tied behind his back.

See also: back, behind, hand, one, tie

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be speaking/talking out of both sides of your mouth  (American)

to say different things about the same subject when you are with different people in order to always please the people you are with How can we trust any politicians when we know they're speaking out of both sides of their mouths?

See also: mouth, out, side, speaking

burn the candle at both ends

to get little sleep or rest because you are busy until late every night and you get up early every morning (usually in continuous tenses) She'd been burning the candle at both ends studying for her exams and made herself ill.

See also: burn, candle, end

cut both/two ways

to have two different effects at the same time, usually one good and one bad (never in continuous tenses) Censorship cuts both ways; it prevents people from being corrupted, but it often also prevents them from knowing what is really going on.

See also: cut, ways

have/keep a foot in both camps

to be involved with two groups of people who often have very different aims and opinions He has moved from fringe to mainstream theatre, but he still keeps a foot in both camps.

See also: camp, foot, have

jump in with both feet  also jump in feet first

to become involved in something very quickly, often without thinking carefully about it first Take time to think things over before you make a decision, don't jump straight in with both feet.

See also: feet, jump

keep your/both feet on the ground

to not have your character spoilt by becoming famous or successful Friends say she's kept her feet firmly on the ground - fame hasn't changed her.

See also: feet, ground, keep

play both ends against the middle  (American informal)

to try to make two people or groups compete with each other in order to get an advantage for yourself He's playing both ends against the middle - telling two prospective employers that the other has offered a higher salary.

See also: against, end, middle, play

swing both ways  (informal)

to be sexually attracted to both men and women I've seen her out with men as well. She swings both ways, you know.

See also: swing, ways

the best of both worlds

if you get the best of both worlds, you get the advantages of two different things at the same time She works in the city and lives in the country, so she gets the best of both worlds. With these delicious but healthy recipes you can have the best of both worlds.

See also: best, world

with both barrels

if you criticize someone with both barrels, you do it in a forceful and angry way The manager blasted his players with both barrels at half time.

See also: barrel

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do something with one hand tied behind your back also do something with one arm tied behind your back

to do something very easily do something with your eyes closed Cleaning your bike chain is so simple a chimp could do it with one hand tied behind its back.

See also: back, behind, hand, one, tie

burn the candle at both ends

to regularly stay awake late and get up early because you are too busy I'm busy trying to get ready for the holidays and burning the candle at both ends.

See also: burn, candle, end

cut both ways

to have both advantages and disadvantages work both ways The Internet cuts both ways – it not only opens borders, it draws boundaries between the people who have it and those who do not.

See also: cut, ways

have it both ways

to satisfy two opposing groups or opinions Americans want to have it both ways, saying they strongly believe in certain principles while reserving the right not to apply them in difficult situations.

Usage notes: often used in the form not have it both ways: I don't see how critics can say that it won't be effective and that it will be too tough – you can't have it both ways.

Related vocabulary: square the circle

See also: have, ways

jump in with both feet also jump with both feet into something

to become involved in something quickly and completely When she decides to get involved, she jumps in with both feet.

Related vocabulary: jump in

See also: feet, jump

talk out of both sides of your mouth also speak out of both sides of your mouth

to say different things to different people about the same subject How can we trust him when we know he talks out of both sides of his mouth?

See also: mouth, out, side, talk

the best of both worlds

the most enjoyable or attractive features of two different things I have the best of both worlds because I live in the country but have a very large metropolitan area only an hour away from me.

Opposite of: the worst of both worlds

See also: best, world

the worst of both worlds

the least satisfactory parts of two different things By making his parents and his teachers angry with him, Jim seemed to have the worst of both worlds.

Opposite of: the best of both worlds

See also: world, worst

with both barrels

with as much energy as possible I always get in trouble for not letting you talk, and now I'm getting it with both barrels because I did let you talk.

Etymology: based on the idea of shooting with a gun that has two barrels (tubes from which bullets are shot)

See also: barrel

work both ways

1. to have a similar or equal effect on each side Asking for sacrifices has to work both ways – workers and management both have to accept cuts.

2. to have both advantages and disadvantages cut both ways Installing the new computer system works both ways – we'll have better control of our business, but we'll lose some of our best workers.

See also: ways, work