Quick answer: “On the fence” means undecided about an issue; unwilling or unable to commit to a particular side or opinion.
On the fence describes a state of indecision — when a person has not yet chosen between two sides, options, or opinions. Someone who is on the fence neither agrees nor disagrees, supports nor opposes. They are figuratively balanced on the boundary between two positions, unwilling or unable to come down on either side.
Meaning
The idiom captures the experience of being genuinely undecided, or of deliberately avoiding commitment to either side of a debate or choice. It can describe genuine open-mindedness (still weighing the evidence), diplomatic caution (not wanting to alienate either side), or indecisiveness (being unable to choose). The tone of the phrase is usually mildly critical — there is a suggestion that the person should eventually make up their mind.
The phrase works with the verb "be" (to be on the fence), and also with "sit on the fence" — a British English variant that is slightly more critical, implying someone is deliberately avoiding commitment. You can also describe someone as "a fence-sitter" — a noun form commonly used in political commentary.
Origin & History
The image behind the idiom is immediately intuitive: a fence divides two sides of a field or property, and someone sitting or standing on the fence is literally between the two areas without belonging to either. The metaphor of political or ideological territory divided by a boundary — with undecided voters or neutral parties balanced on that boundary — is a natural extension.
The expression became particularly prominent in 19th-century American political discourse, used to describe voters, politicians, and commentators who refused to commit to either party or position. It has since spread throughout English and is equally common in British, American, and Australian English today. "Sitting on the fence" is the British English variant; "on the fence" is used in both. Reference works such as the Cambridge Dictionary catalogue thousands of such figurative expressions, showing how idiomatic meanings take shape over time.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| Most voters were still on the fence a week before the election. | Politics, public opinion |
| She's on the fence about accepting the job offer — the salary is good but the commute is brutal. | Career decision |
| The committee was on the fence about the new policy until the data came in. | Business, decision-making |
| Stop sitting on the fence and tell us which proposal you think is stronger. | Meeting, leadership, assertiveness |
Dialogue Example
A: "What do you think about the proposed merger? Are you for it or against it?"
B: "Honestly, I'm still on the fence. The financials look promising, but the cultural fit worries me."
A: "You need to decide before the board meeting on Thursday."
B: "I know. Give me until Wednesday — I want to speak to the integration team first."
Usage Notes
"On the fence" works in both formal and informal English. In formal writing, "undecided", "uncommitted", or "neutral" are alternatives. In political or journalistic writing, "fence-sitter" and "sitting on the fence" are also common. The phrase is used in both British and American English with no meaningful difference.
British English favours "sitting on the fence" (as a progressive or gerund form), which carries a slightly more critical tone — implying deliberate avoidance rather than genuine uncertainty. "On the fence" (without "sitting") is more neutral and is the most widely used international form.
Common Mistakes
Mistakes to Avoid
She was in the fence about the decision for weeks.
She was on the fence about the decision for weeks. — The correct preposition is "on", not "in". The idiom is "on the fence", not "in the fence".
He was on a fence regarding the new strategy.
He was on the fence regarding the new strategy. — Use the definite article "the", not the indefinite "a". The phrase is always "on the fence".
Using "on the fence" when someone has clearly expressed a mild preference.
The idiom means genuinely undecided or uncommitted — not having a slight preference. If someone leans one way but hasn't decided firmly, "leaning towards" is more accurate than "on the fence".
Practice
Similar Idioms
Practice English Idioms
Use these exercises to master idioms in context:
Want to understand the grammar behind this? Explore our Grammar guides.
Quick Check: On the fence
2 questions — test what you just learned.
1. What does “On the fence” mean?
2. Complete the sentence: “Most voters were still _____ a week before the election.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "on the fence" mean?
"On the fence" means undecided about an issue — unwilling or unable to commit to either side of a debate, choice, or opinion. Someone on the fence is balanced between two positions without coming down clearly on either one.
Where does "on the fence" come from?
The image is of a physical fence dividing two pieces of territory. Someone literally sitting or standing on the fence belongs to neither side. The metaphor became especially prominent in 19th-century American political discourse to describe undecided voters or politicians who refused to commit to a party or position.
Can you give an example of "on the fence" in a sentence?
"Most voters were still on the fence a week before the election." Another example: "She's on the fence about accepting the job offer — the salary is good but the commute is brutal."
What is the difference between "on the fence" and "sitting on the fence"?
"Sitting on the fence" is a British English variant that carries a slightly more critical tone, implying deliberate avoidance of commitment rather than genuine uncertainty. "On the fence" is more neutral and is the more widely used international form. Both mean essentially the same thing, but "sitting on the fence" often implies a criticism of political or diplomatic evasiveness.
What CEFR level is "on the fence"?
B2. The metaphor of sitting on a boundary between two sides is fairly transparent, but learners need to understand the correct fixed forms ("on the fence", not "in the fence" or "on a fence") and its connotations of critical indecision. Upper-intermediate learners can use and recognise it confidently.
What preposition is used with "on the fence"?
Always "on". The correct form is "on the fence" — never "in the fence" or "at the fence". You can say "be on the fence", "sit on the fence", or "stay on the fence". The preposition is fixed and cannot be changed.
What is a "fence-sitter"?
A "fence-sitter" is a noun form describing a person who is characteristically reluctant to take sides or commit to any position. It is often used critically in political journalism to describe politicians or commentators who avoid controversy by never expressing a clear opinion. The term carries more implied criticism than the phrase "on the fence".
What are common mistakes with "on the fence"?
Common errors include using the wrong preposition ("in the fence"), using the indefinite article ("on a fence"), and using the phrase for someone with a slight preference rather than genuine indecision. If someone leans one way, "leaning towards" or "tending to favour" is more accurate than "on the fence".
What are similar idioms to "on the fence"?
Similar expressions include "sitting on the fence" (BrE, more critical), "undecided", "uncommitted", "in two minds" (BrE), "torn between", and "can't make up one's mind". "Fence-sitter" is the noun equivalent. All describe inability or unwillingness to choose between two positions.
How do I practise using "on the fence"?
Think of a current debate or decision where you genuinely haven't made up your mind. Write a sentence explaining why you're "on the fence" — what considerations pull you in each direction. Then practise the contrasting form: "I've come off the fence — I've decided to..." This helps you use the idiom naturally in real contexts.