Useful English Word or Phrase to Boost Your English: Bit on the Side

Quick summary: A British phrase for a secret lover or affair outside a main relationship.

What does it mean?

A bit on the side means a person someone is seeing secretly while already in a relationship with somebody else.

Is it positive or negative?

It is negative or disapproving in most contexts.

When do you use it?

Use it when talking about cheating, affairs, gossip, or messy relationships.

Examples

Example 1: Everyone in the office suspected he had a bit on the side.

Example 2: The phrase usually suggests secrecy and dishonesty, not a harmless fling.

Question for you

Do you have a similar phrase in your language for a bit on the side?

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