play each side against the other

To manipulate two opposing sides of an argument, conflict, competition, etc., against one another for one's own benefit or advantage. My father and my uncle are engaged in a bitter business rivalry. If I can play each side against the other, I might be able to secure some sizeable investments for my own company. Janet really dislikes Mary and wants to date her boyfriend Mike, so she's been playing each side against the other to get them to break up.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Ciro	CHEE-ro (Italian), THEE-ro (Spanish), SEE-ro (Latin American Spanish)	Italian, Spanish
Leonty	-	Russian
Remigius	-	Late Roman
Amos	AY-məs (English)	English, Hebrew, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew
Melanthios	-	Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Hawthorne	['hɔ:θɔ:n]