🗓️ Idiom: Have a Foot in Both Camps (phrase)
💬 Meaning
- To be involved or connected with two different groups or situations at the same time.
- To try to keep good relationships or benefits from both sides.
🧠 Example Sentences
- As a consultant and part-time manager, she has a foot in both camps.
- He has a foot in both camp. She works for the company but also advises the union.
- Having a foot in both camps can be useful, but it may also cause conflicts of interest.
🏛️ Origin
This expression comes from the image of someone standing with one foot in each camp or group, showing loyalty to both sides. It started being used in the 19th century to describe people who tried to stay friendly or connected with opposing parties or ideas.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
She works with both marketing and finance, so she ____________________________.
Answer
has a foot in both camps
2. Choose the correct option:
What does “have a foot in both camps” mean?
a) Be loyal to only one side
b) Be involved with two different groups at the same time
c) Work only in one department
Answer
b) Be involved with two different groups at the same time
3. Change the sentence using “have a foot in both camps”:
“Tom supports two competing projects at the same time.”
Answer
Tom has a foot in both camps by supporting two competing projects.
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Rob is a CELTA qualified English teacher with 15 years of international experience. He has a BSc and PGDip from Loughborough and St Andrews universities in the UK. He has taught in Thailand and Saudi Arabia and now works with professionals worldwide.
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