hold with the hare and run with the hounds: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  UKhistoricalidiomaticdatedMachine
  • To behave hypocritically by opposing a practice yet engaging in it oneself; to hold contradictory positions in action and speech.

  Examples

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  • Tom was accused of holding with the hare and running with the hounds because he criticized the policy but still followed it.

    Tom was accused of holding with the hare and running with the hounds because he criticized the policy but still followed it.

  • When Sarah complains about the rules yet breaks them herself, it feels like she holds with the hare and runs with the hounds.

    When Sarah complains about the rules yet breaks them herself, it feels like she holds with the hare and runs with the hounds.

  • You can’t hold with the hare and run with the hounds and expect people to trust your opinions.

    You can’t hold with the hare and run with the hounds and expect people to trust your opinions.

• 2.

  UKhistoricalidiomaticdatedMachine
  • To attempt to remain neutral or placate both sides of a dispute by accommodating opposing parties, often risking the disapproval of both.

  Examples

  Beta

  • In the heated debate, the politician tried to hold with the hare and run with the hounds to avoid alienating either side.

    In the heated debate, the politician tried to hold with the hare and run with the hounds to avoid alienating either side.

  • She held with the hare and ran with the hounds by praising both teams despite their rivalry.

    She held with the hare and ran with the hounds by praising both teams despite their rivalry.

  • Sometimes holding with the hare and running with the hounds leads to criticism from everyone involved.

    Sometimes holding with the hare and running with the hounds leads to criticism from everyone involved.