Sitting on the fence

"Sitting on the fence" is a common idiom used in English to describe a person's lack of decisiveness, their neutrality or hesitance to choose between two sides in an argument or a competition, or inability to decide due to lack of courage.[1] This is done either in order to remain on good terms with both sides, or due to apathy regarding the situation and not wanting to choose a position with which one does not actually agree.[2] As a result, someone who "sits on the fence" will maintain a neutral and non-committal view regarding any of the other parties involved.

  1. ^ Hirsch, Eric Donald; Kett, Joseph F.; Trefil, James S. (2002). The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 78. ISBN 0618226478. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  2. ^ "sit on the fence". Retrieved June 20, 2012.