sit on the fence
/ˌsɪt ɒn ðə ˈfens/INFORMAL · B2
Meaning
to avoid choosing between two sides or options
Examples
- 1When my sisters argue, I try to sit on the fence and stay out of it.
- 2The council is still sitting on the fence about the new cycle lane.
- 3The team needs a clear answer from you today, so please stop sitting on the fence.
- 4Tom sat on the fence during the whole debate, so neither team trusted him afterwards.
- 5Are you going to back Maria's plan or just sit on the fence again?
Grammar
Only sit changes: sits, sitting, sat. The subject of the decision can follow with about or over.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about decisions
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →a no-brainera decision or choice that is very easychicken outto decide not to do something because you are scaredbite the bulletto make yourself do something unpleasant you have been avoidingstick to your gunsto refuse to change your decision when others disagreethe lesser of two evilsthe less bad of two bad optionsspoilt for choicehaving so many good options that it is hard to pick
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
Here you get a couple of questions. The app gives you 16 practice modes, native equivalents and spaced repetition that tells you when it’s time to refresh.
