sit on the fence; take no side
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to sit on the fence; to remain neutral; to refuse to take sides in a conflict
Metaphorical expression originating from the image of straddling a wall. Often carries a slightly negative connotation of indecisiveness or opportunism.
Zài在
zhè这
chǎng场
zhēng争
lùn论
zhōng中
，
tā他
cǎi采
qǔ取
le了
qí骑
qiáng墙
de的
tài态
dù度
。
In this debate, he adopted a fence-sitting attitude.
Nǐ你
zǒng总
shì是
qí骑
qiáng墙
guān观
wàng望
，
bù不
kěn肯
biǎo表
míng明
lì立
chǎng场
。
You always sit on the fence watching, unwilling to state your position.
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Qí骑
qiáng墙
pài派
zuì最
zhōng终
wǎng往
wǎng往
liǎng两
biān边
bù不
tǎo讨
hǎo好
。
Fence-sitters usually end up pleasing neither side.