serve two masters

English

Etymology

From Matthew 6:24 in the Bible.

Pronunciation

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Verb

serve two masters (third-person singular simple present serves two masters, present participle serving two masters, simple past and past participle served two masters)

1. (idiomatic) To take orders from two superiors or two conflicting parties.
   • 2017 September 1, “Paisley faltered in bid to serve two masters”, in Belfast Telegraph:

     I suspect that Mr Paisley would have been familiar with the biblical quotation: "No man can serve two masters - you cannot serve God and Mammon" (Matthew 6 v 24).