Caught between two stools


Finding it difficult to choose between two alternatives.

I’d like to go to the game and stay in for the birthday party. I’m between two stools.

14th century Britain.

Worldwide, but less commonly so that in the past.

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.