sit on the fence Definition

fence
noun

1. A barrier eg of wood or wire, for enclosing or protecting land.

Thesaurus: barrier, paling, balustrade, backstop, railing, barricade, wall, dike, hedge.
2. A barrier of various designs for a horse to jump.
3. slang
Someone who receives and disposes of stolen goods.
4. A guard to limit motion in a piece of machinery.
5. A guiding device on a circular saw or plane.

verb fenced, fencing

1. To enclose or separate it with a fence, or as if with a fence.

Thesaurus: confine, pen, guard, surround, restrict, secure, enclose, encircle, coop, circumscribe, guard, defend.
Form: fence something in (also)
Form: fence something off
intr
2. To practise the art or sport of fencing.
3. To build fences.
intr
4. To avoid answering directly.

Thesaurus: dodge, parry, hedge, equivocate, cavil, tergiversate, beat around the bush, stonewall, pussyfoot.
Form: fence with words (usually)
intr
5. slang
To be a receiver or purchaser of stolen goods.

Derivative: fenceless
adj

Idiom: mend one's fences

To improve or restore one's relations, reputation or popularity, especially in politics.

Idiom: sit on the fence

To be unable or unwilling to support either side in a dispute, etc.
Thesaurus: be undecided, be uncertain, be uncommitted, be indifferent, be irresolute, be of two minds.

Etymology: 14c: as fens, shortened from defence.

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sit
verb sat, sitting

intr
1. To rest the body on the buttocks, with the upper body more or less vertical.

Thesaurus: perch, squat, be seated; Antonym: rise, stand.
2. Said of an animal: to position itself on its hindquarters in a similar manner.
intr
3. Said of a bird: to perch or lie.
intr
4. Said of a bird: to brood.
intr
5. Said of an object: to lie, rest or hang.

Example: There are a few cups sitting on the shelf
Example: The jacket sits nicely round your shoulders
intr
6. To lie unused.

Example: I've got all my tools sitting in the shed
intr
7. To hold a meeting or other session.

Example: The court sits tomorrow
Thesaurus: convene, assemble, meet.
intr
8. To be a member, taking regular part in meetings.

Example: sit on a committee
9. To have a seat, as in parliament.
10. To reside or inhabit.
11. To be a tenant.
12. To have a specific position.

Example: The TV sits on this stand
13. To be located or situated.

Example: The TV sits in the corner
14. Said of the wind: to have a direction.

Example: The wind sits south
15. To take (an examination); to be a candidate for (a degree or other award).

Example: I'm sitting my first exam tomorrow
16. To conduct to a seat; to assign a seat to someone.

Example: They sat me next to him
intr
17. To be or exist in a specified comparison or relation.

Example: His smoking sits awkwardly with his being a doctor
intr
18. To pose as an artist's or photographer's model.

Idiom: be sitting pretty

colloq
To be in a very advantageous position.

Idiom: sit on the fence

See under fence.

Idiom: sit tight

To maintain one's position and opinion determinedly.

To wait patiently.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon sittan.

Phrasal Verb: sit back

To sit comfortably, especially with the head and back rested.To observe rather than take an active part, especially when action is needed.
Example: He's just happy to sit back and let everyone else make the effort

Phrasal Verb: sit down or sit someone down

To take, or make them take, a sitting position.

Phrasal Verb: sit down under something

To submit meekly to (an insult, etc).

Phrasal Verb: sit in on something

To be present at it as a visitor or observer, especially without participating.

Phrasal Verb: sit in for someone

To act as a substitute for them.

Phrasal Verb: sit on someone

To force them to say or do nothing; to repress them.

Phrasal Verb: sit on something

To be a member of it.
Example: I sit on the committee for the sports centre
To delay taking action over it.To keep it secret; to suppress it.

Phrasal Verb: sit something out

To stay until the end of it.To take no part, especially in a dance or game.

Phrasal Verb: sit up

To move oneself from a slouching or lying position into an upright sitting position.To remain out of bed longer than usual.
Example: I sat up late writing my essay
To take notice suddenly or show a sudden interest.