What does “Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds” mean?
"Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds" means to support or be friends with two opposing sides or groups.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He's trying to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds by being friends with both political parties.
Example
She's known for her ability to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds in the business world.
Example
The politician was accused of running with the hare and hunting with the hounds by making promises to both sides of the issue
Is “Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds” effectively in context?
You can use "Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds" to describe someone who tries to support or be friends with two opposing sides or groups. It implies a sense of duplicity or trying to please everyone. For example, if someone is trying to maintain relationships with both political parties, you might say, 'He's trying to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds.'
- 1Politics
The politician was accused of running with the hare and hunting with the hounds by making promises to both sides of the issue.
- 2Business
She's known for her ability to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds in the business world.
- 3Social Circles
He's trying to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds by being friends with both political parties.
Similar phrases to “Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds”:
Two-faced
To act differently or show different sides to different people, often with an intent to deceive
Example
She's known for being two-faced, saying one thing to your face and another behind your back.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds" is unknown.
Is “Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds" is not as common as some other idioms, but it is still used in everyday conversation. It is more likely to be used in specific contexts such as politics or business.
What tone does “Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds” have?
"Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds" conveys a tone of deception or double-dealing. It suggests that someone is trying to please everyone or maintain conflicting loyalties.
Can “Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds" is more formal in nature. It is often used in professional or serious discussions about someone's behavior or actions.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He's trying to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds by supporting both political parties.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'He's really running with the hare and hunting with the hounds!' to imply someone's duplicity.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- be two-faced
- be wishy-washy
- be indecisive
- be hypocritical
- be disloyal
Antonyms
- take a stand
- choose a side
- be loyal
- be consistent
- be straightforward
