get/keep on the right/wrong side of somebody

get on the good side of (someone)

To become the object of someone's favor; to do something that causes someone to be pleased. Be sure to get on the good side of the superintendent— she's a powerful woman in the school district. I'm hoping to get on the good side of John with this cake I baked for him.

See also: get, good, of, on, side

get on the wrong side of (someone)

To be or become displeasing to someone; to do something that provokes someone's anger, contempt, or dismissal. Be sure not to get on the wrong side of the superintendent—she's a powerful woman in the school district. I'm afraid I may have gotten on the wrong side of your friend with my off-color remarks.

See also: get, of, on, side, wrong

keep on the good side of (someone)

To remain the object of someone's favor; to do something that causes someone to be pleased. The superintendent is a powerful woman in the school district, so be sure to keep on the good side of her. I'm hoping to keep on John's good side with this cake I baked for him.

See also: good, keep, of, on, side

keep on the right side of (someone)

To remain the object of someone's favor; to do something that causes someone to be pleased. The superintendent is a powerful woman in the school district, so be sure to keep on the right side of her. I'm hoping to keep on the right side of John with this cake I baked for him.

See also: keep, of, on, right, side

stay on the good side of (someone)

To remain the object of someone's favor; to do something that causes someone to be pleased. The superintendent is a powerful woman in the school district, so be sure to stay on the good side of her. I'm hoping to stay on the good side of John with this cake I baked for him.

See also: good, of, on, side, stay

stay on the right side of (someone)

To remain the object of someone's favor; to do something that causes someone to be pleased. The superintendent is a powerful woman in the school district, so be sure to stay on the right side of her. I'm hoping to stay on the right side of John with this cake I baked for him.

See also: of, on, right, side, stay

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

keep on the right side of someone

 and keep on the good side of someone; stay on the good side of someone; stay on the right side of someone

Fig. to remain in someone's favor. (This has nothing to do with the right-hand side.) You had better keep on the right side of Mr. Franklin. He's very particular. I will keep on the good side of him.

See also: keep, of, on, right, side

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

get/keep on the right/wrong ˈside of somebody

try to please somebody and not annoy them/annoy somebody and make them dislike you: She got on the wrong side of her boss after criticizing him in a meeting.

See also: get, keep, of, on, right, side, somebody, wrong

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017