on the other paw
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Synonym of on the other hand
Register: humorous, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
“All this is wonderful,” said Beau. “But, on the other paw, I will have to make most of these trips alone. You would be out of place in the Garden of Eden, the Lion's Den, or on the Ark.”
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “on the other paw” mean?
Synonym of on the other hand
Is “on the other paw” formal or informal?
on the other paw is generally humorous, slang.