serve two masters en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
From Matthew 6:24 in the Bible.
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) To take orders from two superiors or two conflicting parties.
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).
2017 September 1, “Paisley faltered in bid to serve two masters”, in Belfast Telegraph:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| serves two masters | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| serving two masters | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| served two masters | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| served two masters | Tense=Past | lexicographic |