Take Sides — Meaning, Usage & Examples

Meaning

To support one person or group against another in an argument, dispute, or conflict. It implies choosing a side instead of remaining neutral.

When my parents argue, I try my best not to take sides.

When my parents argue, I try my best not to take sides.
As a manager, it's important to remain objective and not take sides in colleague disputes.

As a manager, it's important to remain objective and not take sides in colleague disputes.
I don't want to take sides, but I think Sarah has a point in this case.

I don't want to take sides, but I think Sarah has a point in this case.
They wanted me to take sides, but I decided to stay out of their drama completely.

They wanted me to take sides, but I decided to stay out of their drama completely.
A mediator should never take sides during a negotiation.

A mediator should never take sides during a negotiation.

✗ I don't want to make sides in your fight.

✓ I don't want to take sides in your fight.

The correct verb collocation is 'take sides,' not 'make sides.'
✗ She took side with her sister.

✓ She took sides with her sister.

The idiom uses the plural 'sides' when speaking generally, or you can say 'she took her sister's side' in the singular.

choose a sideremain neutral sit on the fence