on the side

on the side

1. In addition to a main course in a meal; as a side dish. I'd like the barbecue ribs, please, with coleslaw and corn on the side.

2. In addition to one's main job or activity; as a supplemental pastime or source of income. I'm a web developer, but I also write articles for a music magazine on the side. They're my main band, but I also play in a few groups on the side. I'm mostly into watercolors, but I like to dabble in some drawing on the side.

3. As or with a partner outside of one's main relationship, typically outside of one's marriage. She's been with her husband for 30 years, so it was a shock to everyone when we found out she had a lover on the side. My ex was so shady, always seeing girls on the side and then lying about it.

See also: on, side

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

on the side

 

1. Lit. extra, such as with a job or an additional order of food. I would like an order of eggs with toast on the side, please. She is a bank teller and works as a waitress on the side.

2. Fig. in addition to one's spouse. He is married, but also has a woman on the side. She has boyfriends on the side, but her husband knows about them.

See also: on, side

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

on the side

1. In addition to the main portion of something; also, in addition to one's regular job. For example, He ordered some French fries on the side, or She often prepared tax returns on the side. [Second half of 1800s]

2. See on someone's side; on the side of the angels.

See also: on, side

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

on the side

1 in addition to your regular job or as a subsidiary source of income. 2 secretly, especially with regard to a sexual relationship in addition to your legal or regular partner. 3 served separately from the main dish.

See also: on, side

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

on the ˈside

1 in addition to your main job: He’s a teacher but he does some journalism on the side.
2 (informal) secretly: Even after he was married he still had a girlfriend on the side.

See also: on, side

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

on the side

1. mod. extra, such as with a job or a side order of food. I would like an order of eggs with toast on the side, please.

2. mod. extramarital; in addition to one’s spouse. He is married, but also has a woman on the side.

See also: on, side

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

on the side

1. In addition to the main portion: coleslaw on the side.

2. In addition to the main occupation or activity: did some consulting work on the side.

See also: on, side

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.