Still on the fence 🧍‍♀️↔️🪖

Meaning

Undecided or hesitant about making a choice between two or more options.

Origin

Imagine a rowdy crowd at a countryside fair, split between two rival factions vying for attention or favor. The best seats, offering a clear view of both sides and the action, were often the sturdy wooden fences separating the main crowd. Those who couldn't commit to cheering for one side or the other, or perhaps wanted to observe all angles before making their decision, would perch precariously on these fences. They were literally caught between two viewpoints, their final allegiance yet to be declared, giving rise to the vivid image of being 'on the fence'.

Still on the fence represented with emoji🧍‍♀️↔️🪖

This playful arrangement of a person and a helmet functions as a charming visual pun, underscoring the inherent hesitation and indecision that can accompany life's pivotal moments. It teaches the viewer not just the literal meaning, but the subtle, whimsical dance between wanting and waiting, between commitment and contemplation.

Examples

  • I'm still on the fence about whether to take the job offer or travel for a year.
  • She's still on the fence about which color to paint her new living room.
  • The knight remained still on the fence, contemplating whether to joust the dragon or offer it a scone.
  • My cat is still on the fence about whether the sunbeam is superior to the cardboard box.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'still on the fence' a modern idiom or does it have older roots?

'Still on the fence' has roots dating back to at least the mid-19th century, though its imagery is likely older. The phrase gained widespread usage as public events and political contests provided literal and figurative 'fences' to sit on.

What's the opposite of being 'still on the fence'?

The direct opposite of being 'still on the fence' is 'taking a side' or 'making a decision'. These actions indicate a commitment and a departure from a state of indecision.

Can 'still on the fence' refer to a non-binary choice?

While the imagery suggests two distinct options, 'still on the fence' can absolutely apply to situations with more than two choices. The core idea is remaining undecided amongst multiple alternatives, not strictly limited to a binary situation.

Similar to "still on the fence"

Up in the air
Both phrases mean something is unresolved, but 'up in the air' casts a wider net, suggesting an entire situation or plan is pending, whereas 'on the fence' specifically points to a personal decision yet to be made
On the horns of a dilemma
Both capture the agony of indecision, but 'on the horns of a dilemma' cranks up the intensity, implying a choice between two equally undesirable options, making 'on the fence' feel more like a peaceful perch before a slightly less dramatic leap
Undecided
This more formal, direct counterpart hits the exact same meaning, but 'still on the fence' paints a vivid, almost visual picture of someone literally straddling two sides, a much more evocative image than the plain statement of fact

Opposite of "still on the fence"

Fait accompli
This phrase declares that a decision has not only been made but has already happened, rendering any fence-sitting utterly irrelevant and positioning indecision as a lost cause
Plunked down one's chips
This roaring assertion argues for decisive action, suggesting that the time for contemplation is over and commitment, for better or worse, has been made, directly challenging the hesitation implied by 'still on the fence'

Related to "still on the fence"

Weighing the pros and cons
This phrase captures the active mental process that often precedes or accompanies being 'still on the fence', highlighting the deliberative stage of undecidedness
Sitting on the sidelines
While 'on the fence' suggests active consideration of joining one side or the other, 'sitting on the sidelines' implies a more passive observation of the situation, a step removed from the direct decision-making
Choosing sides
This phrase represents the action that one is *about* to take when 'still on the fence', marking the boundary between hesitation and commitment
Making up one's mind
This is the direct action that resolves the state of being 'still on the fence', the successful conclusion of the indecision