Idiom idiom
he's sitting on the fence
Meaning
He can't make up his mind
Examples
“He is sitting on the fence about which car to buy.”
“My manager is still sitting on the fence regarding my request for a holiday next month.”
“While the rest of the committee voted immediately, he remained sitting on the fence, unwilling to commit to such a controversial policy change.”
Origin
disputed origin
disputed origin
From the fence as the boundary line between two properties or sides; applied to undecided voters in 19th-century American politics.
Last updated June 7, 2026