choose sides
idiom
: to divide a group into two teams that will play against each other
When we chose sides in gym class, I was always the last person to be picked to be on a team.
—often used figurativelyThey are forcing us to choose sides in the dispute.
Examples of choose sides in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
My child should not have to choose sides.
—
Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
Advertisement For most countries, the dominant strategy is not to realign or choose sides between the United States and China, but to treat both as indispensable economic poles, to extract concessions, and avoid the wrath of the two superpowers.
—Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
As expected, both the original Uli and Hina tribes went after each other while the two remaining Kele members, Alex Moore and Sophi Balerdi, were forced to choose sides.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Both the original Uli and Hina tribes went after each other while the two remaining Kele members, Alex Moore and Sophi Balerdi, were forced to choose sides.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for choose sides
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Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
Advertisement For most countries, the dominant strategy is not to realign or choose sides between the United States and China, but to treat both as indispensable economic poles, to extract concessions, and avoid the wrath of the two superpowers.
—Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
As expected, both the original Uli and Hina tribes went after each other while the two remaining Kele members, Alex Moore and Sophi Balerdi, were forced to choose sides.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Both the original Uli and Hina tribes went after each other while the two remaining Kele members, Alex Moore and Sophi Balerdi, were forced to choose sides.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for choose sides
Cite this Entry
“Choose sides.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choose%20sides. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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