APAD: butter both sides of the bread

Definition

   to try to benefit from two opposite or contradictory things

 

Examples

   1) The politician was accused of buttering both sides of the bread by

      promising to help both the left and the right.

   2) The businessman was trying to butter both sides of the bread by making

      deals with both the government and the rebels.

 

Etymology

   The phrase is thought to have originated in the early 1900s as a metaphor for

   trying to please everyone, even if their interests are opposed.

 

Synonyms

   weigh both sides, explore all angles, leave nothing out

 

- englishdaily626.com [edited]

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As someone who always butters one side of the bread, say when making a grilled

cheese sandwich, I'd better stay away from business and politics.

所有跟帖： 

• Me2 Me2 ;-) 1 side only pls! Butter on 2 sides is so messy~~ -最西边的岛上- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 09:53:38

• 左右逢源needs special talent that I don't possess nor wish 2have -最西边的岛上- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 10:11:03

• Truth:I think like aMan; cry like aWomen, laugh like aChild~ -最西边的岛上- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 10:20:58

• if that makes me different from others, so be it !!! -最西边的岛上- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 11:21:11

• It's a skill. Some are more talented than others. -7grizzly- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 15:43:09

• right, it's a skill which I have no hope nor desire for :-) -最西边的岛上- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 19:26:38

• back butter is the common technique for tile installation -移花接木- ♂ (138 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 11:10:41

• +the tile setter cleans excess butter immediately afterwards -最西边的岛上- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 11:38:42

• Changed our kitchen backsplash b4, that's how I learnt :-) -最西边的岛上- ♀ (478 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 13:55:57

• 哈哈，BSO心灵手巧！没想到你适应性这么强的人居然这么有毅力。我最大的缺点就是没有毅力：） -妖妖灵- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 12:35:44

• Always admire people who can work with their hands. -7grizzly- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 15:43:58

• more accurately, who're willing2work with their hands, -移花接木- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 19:07:50

• More accurately, who enjoy working w/ their hands! :-)) -最西边的岛上- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 19:19:15

• My resident had a conflict with his intern. They each -妖妖灵- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 12:16:54

• complained to me about the other. As their attending，I asked -妖妖灵- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 12:17:51

• them to put themselves in each other‘s shoes…They got along -妖妖灵- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 12:18:56

• well since then～To face to 50 people every day，真诚待人是不二法宝。 -妖妖灵- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 12:19:12

• You set up a good example! -7grizzly- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 15:44:35

• Every coin has two sides. Are u a manager or director? -妖妖灵- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 15:50:17

• I tried to butter both sides of the bread, and now -JoyAnna.- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 13:20:28

• my diet is crying. lol -JoyAnna.- ♀ (608 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 13:21:47

• Hit the gym, way to go! :-) -最西边的岛上- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 14:00:19

• I'm in the gym now, waiting for the next fitness class.：D -JoyAnna.- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 15:57:45

• It challenges you to have the cake and eat it too. -7grizzly- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 15:46:28

• Yup, it's a challenge that matches my skillset. -JoyAnna.- ♀ (167 bytes) () 12/08/2025 postreply 15:59:58