in the middle

in the middle

In a position between two or more sides in an argument or contentious issue, often leaving one without a clear course of action to satisfy either side. When my friends broke up, I was often caught in the middle, as each one complained to me about the other.
See also: middle

in the middle of (something or some place)

1. Literally, physically located at the center of something or some place. We're in the middle of the crowd, so it will take us a while to push our way out. Listening to my music, I wandered until I realized I was in the middle of the woods, with no idea which path I took.
2. During, in the midst of, or while currently engaging in something, such as an activity. I'm in the middle of a meeting right now, can I call you back? Then, right in the middle of the concert, he walked offstage.
See also: middle, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

in the middle of

1. Also, in the midst of. During, while engaged in, as in He stopped him in the middle of his speech, or I'm in the midst of calculating my income tax. The first expression dates from about 1600, the second from about 1500. Also see in the midst.
2. in the middle of nowhere. In a very remote location, as in We found a great little hotel, out in the middle of nowhere. [Early 1900s]
See also: middle, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

in the middle

1. In a difficult situation: caught in the middle of a controversy.
2. Engaged in doing something: I'm in the middle of making dinner.
See also: middle
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • caught in the middle
  • in the middle of
  • in the middle of (something or some place)
  • be caught in the middle
  • get into an argument
  • argue the point
  • get into an argument about (someone or something)
  • get into an argument about (someone or something) with (someone)
  • get into an argument over (someone or something) with (someone)
  • get into an argument with (someone) about (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
The 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is the first model to get Hyundai's Blue Drive technology in the Middle East.
Hyundai launches first hybrid in the Middle East
(with map), F6-4 Mexico: Life at the Border, 03-12 Who's Who/Government Leaders, 017&24-8 MIDDLE AGES If You Lived in the Middle Ages, Mr6-14, T8 MIDDLE EAST (see also individual countries) Babylon: A Time Line, S19-T7 Babylon: City and Legend, S19-12 Empire of Nebuchadnezzar II, S19-13 GeoSkills: Changing Borders, N14-14 Maps of the World, 017&24-20 Under the Rubble: the Oldest Church, D12-21 Who's Who/Government Leaders, 017&24-10 MIERS, HARRIET E.
Junior Scholastic index
"I had nightmares of KGB agents breaking down my door in the middle of the night, arresting me, and hauling me away to prison.
The Konanykhine case: businessman Alexander Konanykhine blew the whistle on the corrupt, KGB-sponsored figures plundering Russia. That's why both Moscow and Washington want him dead
In July 2002 a briefing prepared by a researcher at Rand Corporation and presented to the Defense Policy Board, a group of prominent intellectuals and former senior officials that advises the Pentagon on defense policy, stated "The Saudis are active at every level of the terror chain, from planners to financiers, from cadre to foot-soldier, from ideologist to cheerleader." (8) The briefing described the kingdom as "the kernel of evil, the prime mover, the most dangerous opponent" in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia and the war on terrorism
In the middle of it all, Danny; the low-rider who had been transferred to my cell during my time in I-block, came up to me and handed me a pack of cigarette papers.
Prisoner's dilemma: how '60s anti-war activists let today's chicken hawks off the hook. A draft-resister's story
GARY JONES failed to score a late winner for Tranmere as the clubs seemed content to play out this game in the middle third of the pitch.
Football: TRANMERE.........0 PETERBORO.......0
Most Americans experience war in the Middle East as a television spectacle.
Mexican immigrants feel war repercussions
I think I'm somewhere in the middle. I doubt I'll attend any celebrations (with or without the singing of "God Bless America") or teach-ins on terrorism.
A year after Sept. 11, some folks still don't get it. (Perspective)
In the Middle East, geopolitical and economic considerations supposedly dictate U.S.
Terrorism and nationalism. (Humanistic Economics)
While many Fortune 500 corporations' funding requirements are substantial enough to keep several large banks busy, it's a different story in the middle market.
Tough Times/Tougher Banks: Bank consolidation and the recession have made it more difficult for companies to find lenders ready and willing to give them money. (Banking)
By doing so, and not only succeeding in their immediate goals of tax relief and gaining clemency for those who rebelled but also maintaining these goals over the years, Florentine highland peasants participated in the only truly successful peasant revolt in the Middle Ages.
Creating the Florentine State: Peasants and Rebellion, 1348-1434
The negotiations are like the peace process in the Middle East."
Borderline Christianity
The construction was of concrete tilt-slab poured flat on the ground and lifted into place; it incorporated walls of glass and long narrow glass slits (bear in mind, the house was in the middle of miles of open agricultural land, with a climate to accommodate Schindler's experimental design).
City of Angles
German contractor Siemens Information and Communications Networks (SICN) has been awarded two contracts for the supply of telecommunications intelligent network services (INS) in the Middle East and Asia.
Siemens Awarded Telecommunications Intelligent Network Contracts
In the middle, fall the bulk of property/casualty insurers that will need to develop appropriate channel-based marketing programs that generate increased Web traffic, reducing their reliance on inefficient and ineffective intermediaries to generate new business.
Power Shift