IdiomNature
Spanish
Spanishestar entre dos aguas
Meaning: To be undecided or unable to choose between two options; to sit on the fence.
Literally: To be between two waters
Example: “El concejal está entre dos aguas con el proyecto del puerto.” — The councilman is sitting on the fence about the harbor project.
English equivalent: To sit on the fence
Equivalents in other languages
French: Nager entre deux eaux Literally: To swim between two waters
English: sit on the fence
Origin: A swimmer entre dos aguas is submerged between the surface and the bottom, held in place without rising or sinking. Being entre dos aguas is staying undecided, or not committing to either side, like English "on the fence." Paco de Lucía's famous 1973 rumba takes its title, Entre dos aguas, from the phrase.
More Spanish idioms
- sacar el ascua con mano ajena To get someone else to do one's dirty work or take the blame for one's own wrongdoing.
- arrimar el ascua a su sardina To arrange matters selfishly in one's own favor; to look out for oneself at others' expen…
- contante y sonante Money in ready cash; actual payment rather than promises or credit.
- lobo con piel de cordero A person who appears harmless or trustworthy but is actually dangerous or deceitful.
- dar coces contra el aguijón To resist or rebel futilely against something stronger or inevitable.
- no ganar para sustos To be plagued by constant troubles and misfortunes; to suffer setback after setback.
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