Select the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom: 'Sit on the fence'
- (a)to make someone suddenly notice you
- (b)to fail completely
- (c)to delay making a decision
- (d)to behave very badly
Answer
C
Why
Correct — C, to delay making a decision. To 'sit on the fence' is to avoid committing to either side of an argument or choice — to stay neutral or undecided. The image is of someone perched on top of a fence, unwilling to come down on one side or the other. It is about indecision or neutrality, not about being noticed, failing, or misbehaving.
Why the others are wrong
- (a)to make someone suddenly notice you — Unrelated to the idiom; sitting on the fence is about avoiding a choice, not drawing attention.
- (b)to fail completely — The idiom implies indecision, not failure; a fence-sitter simply has not chosen yet.
- (d)to behave very badly — There is no sense of misbehaviour; it describes neutrality, not bad conduct.
Concept
Idiom: 'sit on the fence' = to remain neutral or undecided, avoiding commitment to either side.
Related PYQs
No directly related past PYQ was found.
Practice
- practice — not a real PYQ
To be 'on the fence' about something means to be:
- (a)firmly decided
- (b)undecided or neutral
- (c)very angry
- (d)fully prepared
Answer(b) undecided or neutral.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The idiom 'to take sides' means:
- (a)to support one party in a dispute
- (b)to remain neutral
- (c)to change seats
- (d)to divide food
Answer(a) to support one party in a dispute.