on the other paw

Prepositional phrase

1. (humorous, slang) Synonym of on the other hand
   • “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.”2005 August, Norman E Stephenson, Paw Prints Through the Ages: The Adventures of Beauregard the Far-Traveled Siamese Cat, iUniverse, →ISBN, page 243
   • “Now, I don't think these [wounds] are quite big enough to warrant wrapping a big ugly bandage around your midsection. […] But on the other paw, we can't just leave these wounds open.” While he talked, he bent back to his bag and dabbed another cloth in the bowl.2010 November 15, Kyell Gold, “Colian and Corwin” (chapter 11), in Shadow of the Father, 24 Carat Words, →ISBN, page 76

   Synonyms:

   on the other hand

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see on, the, other, paw.
   • He licked the fingers perfunctorily and returned his attention to the injured paw. […] The bleeding stanched at last, exhausted with pain and hunger, he laid his head on the other paw, his muzzle resting lightly on the hand.2014 December 2, Sheila Burnford, Bel Ria: Dog of War, New York Review Books, →ISBN, page 147