subs. phr. (colloquial).—The side that is weakest; the most assailable side; ‘every man’s weak Part’ (B. E., c. 1696).
1393. GOWER, Confessio Amantis [T. L. KINGTON-OLIPHANT, The New English, i. 174. Here are expressions like … upon the BLIND SIDE].
1576. GASCOIGNE, The Steele Glas, 69. [An official may have a] BLINDE SIDE.
1606. CHAPMAN, The Gentleman Usher, Act i., 79 (Plays, 1874).
| For that, we’ll follow the BLIND SIDE of him, | |
| And make it sometimes subject of our mirth. |
1663. DRYDEN, The Wild Gallant, Act iii. Con. My father’s credulous, and this rogue has found the BLIND SIDE of him.
1742. FIELDING, Joseph Andrews, bk. III., v. Indeed, if this good man had an enthusiasm, or what the vulgar call a BLIND SIDE, it was this,—he thought a schoolmaster the greatest character in the world, and himself the greatest of all schoolmasters.
1809. MALKIN, Gil Blas [ROUTLEDGE], 279. Of one can but get on the BLIND SIDE of a man … it must be want of skill … if the game is lost.
1820. LAMB, The Essays of Elia, ‘Mrs. Battle’s Opinions on Whist.’ All people have their BLIND SIDE—their superstitions.
1857. WHITTY, Friends of Bohemia, I. 169. You have been fighting one another, each to get on the old man’s BLIND SIDE; and he’s rather too ’cute for that game.
