Literal translation
to make the two sides
Meaning
to keep both sides happy
Explanation
The expression means to keep two opposing sides content at once, avoiding taking a firm stance so as not to displease either. Literally, faire li dos man reads to make the two sides: here man figuratively means side or camp, and dos is the feminine form of two. The image suggests someone playing both fronts at the same time, lending support to each party in turn depending on who is present, much like holding both pans of a scale level. The register is neutral to mildly critical, describing a calculated, cautious diplomacy, sometimes tinged with opportunism. It matches exactly the French ménager la chèvre et le chou, where two conflicting demands must be satisfied together. It appears in family mediation, business negotiation, or local politics, wherever the skill lies in offending no one.