the meat in the sandwich

someone who is caught between two individuals or groups who are having a fight or argument

The idiom "the meat in the sandwich" likely draws its origins from the literal concept of a sandwich, where the meat or filling is the substantial part between two pieces of bread. In its figurative use, "the meat in the sandwich" refers to a person or thing placed in the middle of two opposing or challenging situations, much like the substantial filling in a sandwich.

As the team leader, Sarah found herself as the meat in the sandwich, reconciling differences between two feuding coworkers.
John's diplomatic skills made him the meat in the sandwich during the negotiations between the union and management.
In the heated debate, the moderator served as the meat in the sandwich, ensuring a fair exchange of ideas.
The teacher often becomes the meat in the sandwich when dealing with disagreements between students and parents.
The project manager acted as the meat in the sandwich, coordinating the efforts of the design team and the development team to meet the project's goals.