on the side
Idioms-
In addition to the main portion of something; also, in addition to one's regular job. For example, He ordered some French fries on the side , or She often prepared tax returns on the side . [Second half of 1800s]
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His father, Tom, worked as a mechanic and raced on the side.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
To make it a party, serve some good crusty bread and salt-flecked butter on the side, along with a bottle of crisp Californian or Italian white wine.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
Pay your most important strategic partner on the side.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
While working as a showgirl in Sin City, Longet met then-fellow Vegas performer Andy Williams one evening when her car broke down on the side of the road.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026
Owen bellowed, banging on the side of the metal trap like it was a dinner bell.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
