Meaning of “on the fence”

The idiom “on the fence” means that someone is undecided or neutral about a decision.

Now imagine that your friends are deciding where to go for dinner. There are two great restaurants in the neighborhood. Half of your friends want to go to the Mexican restaurant, but the other half want to try the Ethiopian restaurant. Your friends turn to you and ask which restaurant you prefer. If you liked both places, and you couldn’t decide, you could answer; “I’m on the fence.”

More Examples

Here are some more examples of when and how to use “on the fence”:

• About a purchase:
  “I’m on the fence about buying a new car. I can’t decide if I really need it.”
• Regarding a political issue:
  “She’s on the fence about the new law. She sees both the pros and cons.”
• In relationships:
  “He’s on the fence about asking her out. He’s not sure if she’s interested.”

Practice Makes Perfect

To become more comfortable with this idiom, try using it in your daily conversations. For instance, next time you’re unsure about something, instead of saying “I don’t know,” you can say, “I’m on the fence.” You can also listen for this phrase in TV shows, movies, or podcasts to hear how native speakers use it.

English Conversation Classes

If you’re interested in learning more idioms, expressions, and vocabulary in a friendly, structured environment, try one of my English Conversation classes. My theme-based conversation classes will help you develop your English speaking and listening skills in a natural and effective way. For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact me!