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
Unlike organizations that choose sides, Alexander says The Carter Center is focused on the integrity of elections.
—
Brian Unger, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
In Uber Eats’ ad for the championship matchup, viewers also have to choose sides.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for choose sides
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Brian Unger, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
In Uber Eats’ ad for the championship matchup, viewers also have to choose sides.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
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
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 23 Feb. 2026.
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