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.
Speaking to the Sun, a passerby saw the bag on the side of a road and alerted her partner after becoming suspicious.
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
As the car came to a standstill at a junction, I spotted one of the giant black birds that seemed to have followed me around Panama, perched imperiously on the side of the road.
From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026
"I'm on the side of the jeepney drivers," salesclerk Trixie Brumuela said of potentially pricier rides.
From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026
“I tend to want to always err on the side of sending out more information than less,” Ghilarducci said.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026
Sweet smoke from small houses on the side of the road filled the open windows of the truck.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
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.
