How do you say “Sit on the fence” in French?
The closest natural French equivalent is nager entre deux eaux, which literally means “to swim between two waters”. English speakers use sit on the fence to mean to avoid taking sides in a disagreement or decision. This is the classic idiomatic equivalent for navigating neutrality to avoid conflict. In informal spoken French, natives more frequently use 'ne pas se mouiller' or simply 'ne pas prendre parti'. It is neutral and occasional in everyday French.
Closest natural French
nager entre deux eaux
/na.ʒe ɑ̃.tʁə dø.z‿o/
- Literal meaning
- “to swim between two waters”
- Register
- neutral
- How often it's used
- occasional
- Equivalence
Close equivalent
85 out of 100
What a native French speaker would actually say
The English idiom "sit on the fence" paints an image of someone perched high between two fields, stalling for time before deciding which yard to drop into. The French counterpart, "nager entre deux eaux", evokes a swimmer moving deliberately between the surface and the riverbed, or between two opposing currents, navigating with ambiguity so as to avoid committing to either side.
While "sit on the fence" is an everyday phrase in English across virtually all contexts, "nager entre deux eaux" leans slightly literary or journalistic in French. In daily conversational speech, French speakers are far more likely to say "ne pas se mouiller" (to avoid sticking one's neck out) or "ne pas prendre parti" (to remain neutral).
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning5 out of 5
- Tone4 out of 5
- Context4 out of 5
- Literal similarity1 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in French?
ne pas se mouiller
Literally: “not to get oneself wet”
Very common and informal; emphasizes avoiding risk by refusing to commit.
ménager la chèvre et le chou
Literally: “to spare the goat and the cabbage”
Focuses on trying to please both opposing parties at once.
avoir le cul entre deux chaises
Literally: “to have one's ass between two chairs”
Vulgar/informal; emphasizes the uncomfortable, awkward indecision of being in the middle.
Don't translate it literally
être assis sur la clôture
A nonsensical word-for-word calque of the English idiom that native speakers will not understand.
Word-for-word versions like these are understood as literal statements in French, not as expressions.
In context
English
You can't sit on the fence forever; you have to choose a side.
French
Tu ne peux pas nager entre deux eaux indéfiniment, il faut que tu choisisses ton camp.
English
The politician preferred to sit on the fence rather than alienate voters.
French
L'homme politique a préféré nager entre deux eaux plutôt que de s'aliéner les électeurs.
Related expressions
- What “Sit on the fence” means in English
- Beat around the bush, To avoid the main point.
- Get cold feet, To become nervous and back out.
Last reviewed 2026-09-11