know which side of one's bread is buttered

Definitions

Forma verbal. Verb. [C2]

Examples

“The crowd that turned out to welcome⟳ Schmitz shows that every one of them knew which side of his bread is buttered and who furnishes their butter.”

“Most of you have⟳ no doubt⟳ heard a person described as “not knowing which side of his bread is buttered.” Well, I’m sorry to say⟳ that there are some of that species running around loose in our corridors. They don’t take⟳ advantage of the opportunity offered them in the finest education found anywhere in the world.”

“Crenshaw forged a personality based on staying in the middle, and always with an exit strategy. It is said that his secret agenda is to run⟳ for Mayor, but he also knew which side of his bread is buttered.”

CEFR level