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know which side one's bread is buttered on
to know which side one's bread is buttered on
01
to know the exact way to treat others or how to act so as to get what one desires
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Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "know which side one's bread is buttered on" and when to use it?
The idiom "know which side one's bread is buttered on" has its origins in the practice of buttering bread. The phrase has been in use for centuries and was used both literally and figuratively. In a literal sense, it referred to the act of spreading butter on one side of a slice of bread to make it more palatable. Figuratively, it is now used to advise someone to recognize their own best interests and make choices that benefit them.
Example
He knows which side his bread is buttered on.
She married into a wealthy family, and she knows which side her bread is buttered on.
She knows which side her bread is buttered on, so she always supports the boss's ideas.
It's important to know which side your bread is buttered on and make decisions that advance your career.
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