sɪt ɒn ðə fens
General
informal
beginner
- Literally:
- Sitting atop a fence between two areas
What does "sit on the fence" mean?
- To remain neutral or undecided
- To avoid taking sides in a dispute
Examples
- Stop sitting on the fence and make a decision.
- Politicians often sit on the fence on controversial issues.
- You can't sit on the fence forever.
Origin
From the image of sitting on a fence between two properties, belonging to neither side. Political metaphor since the 1800s.
How to use it
Often used critically—implies avoiding responsibility. Common in politics and debates.
Similar expressions
be undecided
remain neutral
hedge
be noncommittal
Opposites
take a stand
choose sides
commit
Related idioms
- actions speak louder than words
What people do is more important than what they say
- better safe than sorry
It's better to be careful and prevent problems than to take risks
- so far so good
Things have gone well up to now
- easier said than done
Something is more difficult to do than to talk about
- make a long story short
To summarize or get to the point
- to make matters worse
In addition to existing problems
Use it in a practice answer
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