play both ends against the middle

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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, both, end, middle, play

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It is trying to play both ends against the middle - to look like the friend of the revolutionaries on the one hand and a friend of the West in the fight against terrorism. No question, Pak role in Mumbai terror attack established: Rushdie by Asian News International A preponderance of evidence supports the theory that Bout does indeed play both ends against the middle, and that he's had some serious high-level protection in his dealings around the world and help from various governments, Russia for one. "Merchant of death," Viktor Bout, arrested by The New American Byline: Dr MIRIAM STOPPARD IF you play both ends against the middle, you'll be found out just as Vicky has been. Dear MIRIAM: TROY MUST ADMIT HE'S A FOOL; HERE'S MIRIAM'S VERDICT by The Mirror (London, England)			plate platter play play a big part play a bit part play a blinder play a joke play a joke on play a part in play a straight bat play a trick on play a waiting game play ace play against play along play around play around with play as play at play at own game play away from home play back play ball play ball with play both ends play both ends against the middle play by ear play cards close to chest play cards right play cat and mouse play cat and mouse with play dead play devil's advocate play dirty play down play down to play fair play fast and loose play fast and loose with play first chair play footsie play footsie with play for play for a fool play for a sucker play for keeps play for time play freeze-out play games play God play gooseberry			play around play around play around play around Play Around the Christmas Tree play around with play as play at play at play at play at play at play at play at full blast play at own game play away from home play back play back play back play back play back play back play ball play ball play ball play ball play ball play ball play ball with play both ends play both ends against the middle Play boy Play boy Play by E-Mail Play by ear Play by ear Play by ear Play by ear Play by ear Play by ear Play by ear play by electronic mail Play by mail Play by Message Board Play by play Play by Post Play by Private Message play by the book play cards close to chest play cards close to chest play cards close to chest play cards close to chest play cards close to chest play cards close to vest play cards close to vest play cards close to vest play cards close to vest play cards close to vest play cards right play cards right play cards right

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