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right and left

Idioms  
  1. In or from all directions, on every side, as in Questions were coming right and left, or She was giving orders right and left. This idiom, first recorded in 1839, uses the directions right and left to signify all sides.


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.

See Examples For:

Those currents have multiple overlapping causes and cannot entirely be described in terms of right and left.

From Salon Apr. 19, 2026

In just six months, he has helped orchestrate the defection of five lawmakers—representing both the right and left of the political spectrum, from different parts of Canada—to his governing Liberal caucus.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 14, 2026

Mayer said the RN benefits from the divisions of its opponents on the right and left but still showed "many weaknesses".

From Barron's Mar. 23, 2026

The 199th overall selection played right and left tackle at Pittsburgh, but the Chargers see him as a future guard.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 27, 2025

A little soft laugh floated down to her, and she ran, breathless, up the stairs and stopped at the top, looking to right and left along the hallway at the closed doors.

From "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson

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