bit on the side
Illicit romantic partner
A bit on the side is a person someone is having an affair with—a secret lover maintained alongside a primary relationship.
The phrase is British slang and slightly euphemistic: He'd been keeping a bit on the side for years.
It can also refer to the affair itself rather than the person.
- flingForceful toss, or tryst
- affairRomantic entanglement outside commitment
- extramaritalOutside the marriage bond
- playing awayHaving affairs outside marriage
- loverRomantic intimate
secret lover · mistress · paramour · unfaithfulness · adultery · clandestine · tryst · afternoon delight · toyboy · inamorata · gigolo · fancy man · relationship · liaison · infidelity · moonlighting · cheating · gig work
- infidelityadultery, affair, adulteress, cheating, cheater