take sides

Idioms

Also, take someone's side. Support or favor one party in a dispute, as in Parents shouldn't take sides in their children's quarrels, or Thanks for taking my side concerning the agenda. [c. 1700] Also see take someone's part.

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.

I’d asked her to understand, not take sides.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

The letter doesn’t seem to take sides, emphasizing instead the need for cooperation that would allow “families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work.”

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

He preserves an ironic detachment, refusing to take sides between the colonial French forces and the Communists fighting to take control of the country.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

For decades British governments have refused to take sides over who should control Western Sahara, which is considered a "non-self-governing territory" by the UN.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2025

“Well — let’s drink to a Gryffindor victory against Ravenclaw! Not that I’m supposed to take sides, as a teacher...,” he added hastily.

From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023