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.
And consider Ms. James’s declaration that she is on the side of “survivors.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026
That’s another misunderstanding: We were hawking game, as we like to make a little cash on the side selling rare meats.
From Slate ● Oct. 3, 2026
“Thus, the prices of gas, which you see posted on the side of the road almost every day, can have a stronger influence on how consumers view the rest of the economy overall.”
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026
“It really just boiled down to ... when you have soft tissue injuries with guys like that, that are skill players, you’re going to err on the side of caution.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026
Mr. Drew was not an animal lover and was shooing away a goat, who was nibbling on the side of his shirt.
From "Pony Problems: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #3" by Carolyn Keene
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.
