sit on the fence

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word sit on the fence. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word sit on the fence, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say sit on the fence in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word sit on the fence you have here. The definition of the word sit on the fence will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofsit on the fence, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

1898 British cartoon using the phrase

Pronunciation

Verb

sit on the fence (third-person singular simple present sits on the fence, present participle sitting on the fence, simple past and past participle sat on the fence)

  1. (idiomatic, intransitive) To remain neutral on a certain topic, to not have a stance or opinion.
    • 1897, John James Procter, The philosopher in the clearing, page 240:
      and Bloomah will sometimes sit on the fence, concerning whose discretion, the same thing may be said...
    • 1956, Theology, Great Britain: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, page 22:
      The curate refused to label himself; so the squire growled, "Oh, you sit on the fence, do you?"
    • 1972, Joseph Robinson, The first book of Kings, page 207:
      Elijah stepped forward and said to the people, "How long will you sit on the fence? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him."
    • 2019 April 20, Tom Watson, “Labour can’t defeat Nigel Farage by sitting on the fence”, in The Observer‎, →ISSN:
      We won’t win if we sit on the fence about the most crucial issue that has faced our country for a generation.

Translations

Translations

See also

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia