Last Updated：2025/11/21

(idiomatic) To manipulate two persons into competing against one another in a way that benefits the person carrying out the manipulation.

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play one against another

Source Word

play one against another

Verb

idiomatic

Japanese Meaning

相手同士を互いに競わせることで、自分の利益を得るために巧妙に操る / 二者を対立させ、争いに引き込む / 互いに競わせることで、特定の利益や目的を達成するために仕向ける

To secure the contract, the consultant began to play one against another, whispering rival bids to each company.

契約を確保するために、そのコンサルタントは二社を互いに競争させ始め、各社に対立する入札情報をこっそり伝えた。

Sense（1）

plays one against another

（ present singular third-person ）

playing one against another

（ participle present ）

played one against another

（ participle past ）

played one against another

（ past ）