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.
This trade-off almost always falls on the side of maximizing your reach and volume.
From Slate ● Aug. 19, 2026
Talarico, believing God is on the side of the oppressed and the marginalized, focuses his message to voters on equity and protecting personal freedom.
From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026
That causes compromise to fall on the side with more options and less pain tolerance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
The South Scotland MSP said the party had to be bold and get "squarely on the side of the working people of this country".
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
It misses a number of key areas on the side and top of the brain.
From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman
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.
