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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

sit on the fence en · VERB

Pronunciation

Meanings

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

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
sat on the fence Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
sat on the fence Tense=Past lexicographic
sits on the fence Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
sitting on the fence Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic

Relateds

fence sitter · fence-sitting · on the fence · fence-sit · the jury is still out

Translations (7)

pl usiąść okrakiem na barykadzie (Translations) · ja 日和る (Translations) · pl siedzieć okrakiem na barykadzie (Translations) · fi jäädä odottavalle kannalle (Translations) · cmn 騎牆 /骑墙 (Translations) · pt em cima do muro (Translations) · fi olla odottavalla kannalla (Translations)