play one off against another/each other/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 one off against another, 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 one off against the other to get them to break up.

See also: another, each, off, one, other, play

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
David	DAY-vid (English), dah-VEED (Jewish, Spanish), da-VEED (French), DAH-vit (German, Dutch), DAH-vid (Swedish, Norwegian), dah-VEET (Russian)	English, Hebrew, French, Scottish, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, C
Sefton	SEF-tən	English (Rare)
Pier	PYER (Italian), PEER (Dutch)	Italian, Dutch
JindŘIch	-	Czech
Cajsa	KIE-sah	Swedish
Debbora	-	Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek