IdiomNature
French
FrenchNager entre deux eaux
Meaning: To avoid committing to either side.
Literally: To swim between two waters
Example: “Interrogé sur la réforme, le sénateur a préféré nager entre deux eaux.” — Asked about the reform, the senator preferred to sit on the fence.
English equivalent: To sit on the fence
Equivalents in other languages
Spanish: estar entre dos aguas Literally: To be between two waters
English: sit on the fence
Origin: A swimmer submerged between the surface and the bottom is visible from neither. The phrase is pejorative and implies calculation rather than indecision.
More French idioms
- Aux quatre coins de All over; in every part of a place.
- Frappé au coin du bon sens Manifestly sensible; bearing the stamp of sound judgment.
- Collet monté Prim, stiff and old-fashioned in manner.
- Dans le collimateur In someone's sights; singled out for scrutiny.
- Le complexe d'Œdipe A child's unconscious attachment to the opposite-sex parent and rivalry with the other.
- De conserve Together, in company — not to be confused with de concert.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Ne fais pas à autrui ce que tu ne voudrais pas qu'on te fasse Treat others as you would want to be treated.
- La beauté ne se mange pas en salade Good looks alone don't put food on the table or make a good partner.
- On ne change pas une équipe qui gagne Don't change something that's working.
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