fence (redirected from fences out)

*on the fence (about something)

Fig. undecided about something. (*Typically: be ~; sit ~.) Ann is on the fence about going to Mexico. I wouldn't be on the fence. I'd love to go.

fence (someone or an animal) out

to keep someone or an animal out with a fence or barrier. We decided that living in the woods was satisfactory only if we fenced the wildlife out. We had to fence out the deer. We hoped we had fenced prowlers out with the tall electric fence.

See also: out

fence someone or something off (from something)

to separate someone or something from something else with a fence or barrier. We fenced the children's play area off from the rest of the yard. Dave fenced off the play area. We fenced off the children from the rest of the yard.

fence someone in

to restrict someone in some way. I don't want to fence you in, but you have to get home earlier at night. Don't try to fence me in. I need a lot of freedom. Your last stupid move fenced in the department, making us less effective.

fence something in

to enclose an area within a fence. When they fenced the garden in, they thought the deer wouldn't be able to destroy the flowers. We fenced in the yard to make a safe place for the children.

fence an animal in

to enclose an animal and its area within a fence or barrier. We fenced the dog in to keep it at home. We had to fence in the dog.

See also: animal

Good fences make good neighbors.

Prov. It is easier to be friendly with your neighbor if neither of you trespasses upon the other's property or privacy. Jane: The guy next door is letting his party guests wander across our lawn again. Alan: I guess we'll have to build a fence there. Good fences make good neighbors, like they say.

See also: good, make, neighbor

sit on the fence

Fig. not to take sides in a dispute; not to make a clear choice between two possibilities. (Fig. on the image of someone straddling a fence, representing indecision.) When Jane and Tom argue, it is best to sit on the fence and not make either of them angry. No one knows which of the candidates Joan will vote for. She's sitting on the fence.

See also: sit

straddle the fence

Fig. to support both sides of an issue. (As if one were partly on either side of a fence.) The mayor is straddling the fence on this issue, hoping the public will forget it. The legislator wanted to straddle the fence until the last minute, and that alone cost her a lot of votes.

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mend (your) fences

to try to become friendly again with someone after an argument (usually + with ) China is trying to mend fences with Russia after the recent border dispute.

See change ways

See also: mend

sit on the fence

to delay making a decision when you have to choose between two sides in an argument or a competition She criticized members of the committee for sitting on the fence and failing to make a useful contribution to the debate.

See also: sit

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mend (your) fences

to repair a relationship with someone The mayor is trying to mend fences with members of the city council so they will approve his plan.

See also: mend

on the fence

not able to decide something Many consumers are still on the fence, waiting to see if a better, less expensive computer will come along.

Usage notes: often used with sit: Most people sit on the fence and would rather say "maybe" than "yes" or "no."