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.
Like many of his rivals, he built cars for his own racing team and sold them on the side.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
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
"I'm on the side of the jeepney drivers," salesclerk Trixie Brumuela said of potentially pricier rides.
From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026
Before I could even open a menu, he’d tell the waiter, “Sauce on the side, she eats like a celebrity,” making me feel adored, not demanding.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026
The fire observatory was on the side visible to him, and at last he knew where he was.
From "Abel's Island" by William Steig
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.
