petting both sides of the cat

a figure of speech to illustrate when a person takes one viewpoint with one audience, but will take the opposite viewpoint with another in efforts to be liked or create harmony.

-That politician is petting both sides of the cat.

-When your Mom shares Pro-Trump Facebook posts, but at dinner claims to believe he's a racist you would be correct to say: "Mom, you are petting both sides of the cat."

7👍 1👎