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Glite Dictionary
to hold with the hare and run with the hounds

to hold with the hare and run with the hounds

9.9
To support two opposite sides at the same time to please both
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : servir a dos amos
  • Her attempt to hold with the hare and run with the hounds left both sides distrustful of her motives.

Examples

  • He tends to hold with the hare and run with the hounds during negotiations.

  • It is impossible to hold with the hare and run with the hounds during a heated political debate.

  • If you try to hold with the hare and run with the hounds, you risk displeasing everyone in the end.

  • Don't hold with the hare and run with the hounds!

  • Her attempt to hold with the hare and run with the hounds made both parties question her integrity.

  • If you hold with the hare and run with the hounds, you will find it hard to maintain trust with either side.

  • In any conflict, trying to hold with the hare and run with the hounds usually leads to unfavorable outcomes.

Synonyms

to straddle
vsto hold with the hare and run with the hounds
13 6.6

To avoid choosing a side in a disagreement

involves active pleasing of both sides often for selfish reasons rather than mere neutrality
to serve two masters
vsto hold with the hare and run with the hounds
4 8.2

To try to please two people or groups who want different things and fail to please either

focuses on pleasing both sides often insincerely rather than on impossibility
to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds
vsto hold with the hare and run with the hounds
  • Archaic
9.9

To support two opposite sides at the same time

is the variant idiom form that has the same meaning
a foot in both camps
vsto hold with the hare and run with the hounds
7.5

To be involved with two opposing groups at the same time

focuses on pleasing both sides often in an insincere way

Antonyms

to make a stand
23 4.6

Publicly say you strongly agree or disagree with something

How Loyal

to support
∞ 1.0
to fence-sit
  • Informal
8.1
to hold with the hare and run with the hounds
  • Informal
9.9
to betray
397 4.2

Surface Forms

hold with the hare and run with the hounds infinitive
holding with the hare and running with the hounds present participle
holds with the hare and runs with the hounds third person singular
held with the hare and ran with the hounds past
held with the hare and run with the hounds past participle

Morphology

hold + with + the + hare + and + run + with + the + hound

The literal words evoke a clear image of supporting both the 'hare' (prey) and the 'hounds' (hunters), and the contrast between 'hold with' and 'run with' signals inconsistent or double-sided allegiance, so a learner who recognises the hunting imagery can infer the idea of backing opposing sides. However, the expression is a conventionalised hunting metaphor and culturally specific phrasing that many B1 learners may not know, so the meaning is not fully predictable without prior exposure.

Etymology

Hold with the hare and run with the hounds may come from a hunting scene: to hold with the hare is to be on the rabbit's side while to run with the hounds is to join the dogs chasing it. So, the phrase means 'to try to support or please two opposite sides at the same time', often in a false or selfish way.