keep on side

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep on side" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a situation in which two people or groups are trying to avoid disagreements or hostility. For example, "The two government leaders agreed to keep on side and work together to reach a compromise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Appointments should be on merit but the truth is that if a particular country, one you need to keep on side for political or financial reasons, wants you to put one of its own in to a particular job, then sometimes you do it if it's not going to mess things up too much.

The Guardian

"We are the readership that the mainstream parties need to keep on side but they've never tried with us," said one source.

The Guardian

We're probably not going to see Deadpool up for the big awards next year – but the Academy knows who to keep on side.

The Guardian - Film

But it would be unprecedented for delegates to reject a bill.For all its pro-left rhetoric Mr Wen's speech to the NPC was suffused with it the leadership realises that it also has to keep on side a growing urban middle class whose tolerance of party rule is particularly vital to its grip on power.

The Economist

The regime's elite, who Kim Jong-un needs to keep on side for his legitimacy, won't like that.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Only slight doubt is about the extra trip, but has a light weight and likes better ground, so must be kept on side.

Independent

When Frankston MP Geoff Shaw was accused of misusing parliamentary car entitlements, he was kept on side despite his increasingly erratic behaviour until the government could stand it no longer and it was too late to matter politically.

The Guardian

So much about the National is determined by its vastness: the building, the theatres, the number of people you have to keep on-side.

The Guardian

Copy and paste that side and keep on putting one side in front of another.

WikiHow

Perhaps their aim is to keep on the winning side of the lines.

The Economist

Assuming that Ben Nelson and Blanche Lincoln can be kept on side, any one of these three gets the Obama Administration to sixty and home with the most important social-reform legislation in a generation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep on side" when you want to emphasize the importance of maintaining someone's support or avoiding conflict, especially when that support is politically or strategically valuable.

Common error

Don't use "keep on side" when simply describing agreement. This phrase implies a strategic effort to maintain support, not just a shared opinion. Choose alternatives like "agree with" or "support" when describing basic concurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep on side" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase, often used to describe the act of maintaining someone's support or avoiding causing them to become unfriendly or hostile. Ludwig AI shows this expression in contexts where influence or support is crucial.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic phrase "keep on side" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to convey the importance of maintaining someone's support or averting discord. According to Ludwig AI, it appears primarily in news and media contexts, and to a lesser extent in wikis. While not exceedingly common, it is suitable for various situations where maintaining positive relationships is strategically important. Consider related alternatives like ""maintain good relations with"" or ""not antagonize"" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep in with

A more informal synonym for "keep on side" emphasizing maintaining a friendly connection with someone or a group.

maintain good relations with

Focuses on actively nurturing a positive relationship, suggesting more effort than simply avoiding conflict.

stay in someone's good graces

Emphasizes being favored or approved of, implying a degree of deference.

not antagonize

Focuses on avoiding actions that would cause someone to become hostile or unfriendly.

ingratiate oneself with

Suggests making a deliberate effort to gain someone's favor, often with flattery.

keep someone sweet

An informal idiom, suggesting keeping someone happy and agreeable, possibly through gifts or favors.

curry favor with

Similar to 'ingratiate', but often implies a more manipulative or self-serving motive.

pacify

Suggests calming someone who is angry or agitated, often through concessions.

placate

Focuses on stopping someone from feeling angry or discontented.

appease

Similar to 'pacify', but can imply sacrificing principles to maintain peace.

FAQs

What does "keep on side" mean?

The phrase "keep on side" means to maintain someone's support or approval, often through strategic actions or concessions. It suggests a deliberate effort to avoid conflict and ensure continued cooperation.

How can I use "keep on side" in a sentence?

You can use "keep on side" in sentences like, "The politician needed to "maintain good relations with" key donors to ensure re-election" or "The company offered incentives to "not antagonize" its major clients."

Which is more formal, "keep on side" or ""maintain good relations with""?

"Maintain good relations with" is generally more formal than "keep on side", which is more colloquial. The choice depends on the context and audience.

What are some alternatives to "keep on side"?

Alternatives to "keep on side" include "stay in someone's good graces", ""not antagonize"", and "keep in with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.