Know which side one’s bread is buttered

Meaning

The idiomatic expression "know which side one's bread is buttered" means to know which group or team an individual belongs to, what their allegiances are, or what their interests are. It originates from the idea that people who have a vested interest in something will often take action to protect it, even if it goes against other groups or individuals who may not have the same level of investment.

Usage

• If you want to know which side your friends take on the ongoing rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, you simply need to ask them which side their bread is buttered on.
• In the workplace, it's important for employees to know which side their boss is buttered on so they can better navigate office politics.
• When planning a family gathering, it's essential to take into account which side your parents are buttered on, as they may have different opinions on the menu and other aspects of the event.
• When it comes to political affiliations, knowing which side your friends and family are buttered on can help you make more informed decisions about whom to vote for.
• If you're ever in a situation where two colleagues are vying for the same promotion, you might need to figure out which side their bread is buttered on so you know who to support.

Roots and History

The phrase "know which side one's bread is buttered" can be traced back to 16th-century England, where people would often use butter as a source of income by selling it or using it for baking. To make the most of their profits, they would want to be on the side of those who were also invested in the butter trade. Over time, the expression has been used more broadly to refer to any group or individual with a vested interest in something, whether it's a product, a cause, or a political issue. The phrase has remained relatively consistent over the centuries and continues to be widely understood today.

Synonyms in English

• Know which side one's money is on.
• Know which team one supports.
• Know whose team one belongs to.
• Know whose interests one aligns with.
• Know whose cause one supports.

Synonyms in other languages

• In Spanish, the phrase "conocer cuál es la parte de pan que come" translates to "know which side of the bread you eat."
• In French, the equivalent expression is "savoir sur quel côté l'on mange le pain," or "know on which side you eat bread."
• In Italian, the phrase "sapere su quale parte del panino si nutre" translates to "know which part of the bread you eat."
• In German, the expression is "wissen, auf welcher Seite man sein Brot essen muss," or "know which side one has to eat their bread."
• In Portuguese, the phrase "conhecer qual é a parte do pão que come" translates to "know which side of the bread you eat."

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• all of a sudden

• yesterday’s man