know which side (one's) bread is buttered (on)
(redirected from know which side their bread is buttered)know which side (one's) bread is buttered (on)
To know how to best ensure one's success. I know which side my bread is buttered on, so I was very nice to the recruiter and promptly sent her a thank you card after our interview.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
know which side one's bread is buttered on
Prov. to be aware of where your money comes from; to be loyal to the person or thing that will benefit you the most. Wife: Please be sure not to upset Grandma. You know we can't do without the money she sends us every month. Husband: Don't worry. I know which side my bread is buttered on.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
know which side your bread is buttered
If you know which side your bread is buttered, you know what to do or who to please in order to put yourself in the best possible situation. Donald was a man who knew with utter clarity which side his bread was buttered. I'm in no doubt which side my bread is buttered for the present.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
know on which side your bread is buttered
know where your advantage lies.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
know which side your ˈbread is buttered
(informal) know what to do in order to gain advantages, stay in a favourable situation, etc: I’m sure Ray will make a special effort to please the new supervisor — after all, he knows which side his bread is buttered!Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
know what/which side of the bread is buttered (on), to
To know where one’s best interests lie. This metaphor appeared in John Heywood’s Proverbs of 1546 (“I know on which syde my bread is buttered”), and was used so often over the centuries that it was a cliché by about 1800.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer