servant of two masters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "servant of two masters" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a idiomatic expression that means being torn between two conflicting duties or loyalties. Example: As a politician, he found himself being a servant of two masters - his constituents and his party.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS The National Theater's frisky adaptation of a commedia dell'arte classic — "The Servant of Two Masters" — was hands-down the funniest show of the year.

The New York Times

ROWAN UNIVERSITY "The Servant of Two Masters".

The New York Times

"Arlecchino, Servant of Two Masters," Piccolo Teatro di Milano.

The New York Times

June 21-July 29: "Servant of Two Masters".

The New York Times - Arts

MORRISTOWN Greek Theater, College of St. Elizabeth "The Servant of Two Masters," comedy by Carlo Goldoni.

The New York Times

Review of "The Servant of Two Masters" given by the Piccolo Teatro di Milano.

The New Yorker

The comedy, written by Richard Bean, is based on Carlo Goldoni's play "Servant of Two Masters".

The New York Times

I saw Giorgio Strehler's famous Piccolo Teatro perform "Harlequin - Servant of Two Masters" in Paris.

The New York Times

A woman highlights passages from the 1743 Carlo Goldoni play "Servant of Two Masters".

The Guardian - Opinion

I think of myself as the very willing servant of two masters, Klemperer and Bartenieff".

The New York Times

May 25-June 10: "A Servant of Two Masters," Young Vic/Royal Shakespeare Company production.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "servant of two masters" when you want to emphasize the difficult position of someone who must satisfy two conflicting obligations or loyalties, creating internal tension or external pressure.

Common error

Avoid using "servant of two masters" simply to describe someone who is busy or has many responsibilities. The phrase implies a conflict or tension between the two 'masters', not just a high workload.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "servant of two masters" functions as an idiomatic expression. It describes a situation where an individual is obligated to two conflicting or competing interests, authorities, or demands. Ludwig provides examples of its use in describing conflicting loyalties and obligations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "servant of two masters" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe the challenging position of someone obligated to conflicting demands. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources. Analysis reveals its frequent occurrence in News & Media, highlighting situations of divided loyalties or competing obligations. When writing, it's important to ensure the phrase accurately reflects a genuine conflict, rather than a general state of being busy. Alternatives such as "torn between two loyalties" or "caught in the middle" can offer nuanced variations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

torn between two loyalties

Highlights the emotional conflict of having to choose between two commitments.

divided allegiance

Emphasizes the split in loyalty and commitment.

serving conflicting interests

Highlights the incompatibility of the interests being served.

caught in the middle

Focuses on the uncomfortable position of being between conflicting parties.

having divided responsibilities

Focuses on the split of duties and accountabilities.

subject to conflicting demands

Stresses the external pressure of having to satisfy opposing requirements.

straddling two worlds

Implies belonging to and attempting to satisfy two distinct environments.

walking a tightrope

Suggests a precarious balancing act between opposing forces.

juggling multiple priorities

Emphasizes the challenge of managing several important tasks simultaneously.

a pawn in someone else's game

Suggests being manipulated by opposing sides for their own purposes.

FAQs

How can I use "servant of two masters" in a sentence?

You can use "servant of two masters" to describe someone in a position of conflicting loyalties. For example: "The politician found himself a "servant of two masters": his constituents and his party."

What does it mean to be a "servant of two masters"?

To be a "servant of two masters" means to be obligated to two conflicting authorities or duties, making it difficult or impossible to fully satisfy both.

What are some alternatives to saying "servant of two masters"?

You can use alternatives like "torn between two loyalties", "caught in the middle", or "divided allegiance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is the phrase "servant of two masters" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase "servant of two masters" is a grammatically correct idiomatic expression in English. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage.