Signification
To be unable to choose between two options, often losing both advantages.
Contexte culturel
In French politics, the term 'le cul entre deux chaises' is often used by commentators to describe centrist parties that try to appeal to both the left and the right, often suggesting they lack a clear ideology. In Quebec, the expression is also very common but might be followed by more colorful local 'sacres' (swear words) if the frustration is high. The meaning remains identical. Francophone Belgians and Swiss use this idiom frequently in professional contexts to describe the difficulty of being caught between different regional regulations or languages. In modern French startups, you might hear the English 'sitting on the fence', but 'avoir le cul entre deux chaises' remains the 'authentic' way to express this in the breakroom.
Watch your audience
Never use this with a person you need to show formal respect to (boss, elder, stranger).
The 'Fesses' trick
If you want the impact of the idiom without the vulgarity, 'avoir les fesses entre deux chaises' is your best friend.
Signification
To be unable to choose between two options, often losing both advantages.
Watch your audience
Never use this with a person you need to show formal respect to (boss, elder, stranger).
The 'Fesses' trick
If you want the impact of the idiom without the vulgarity, 'avoir les fesses entre deux chaises' is your best friend.
Political usage
Listen for this on French news (BFMTV, France Inter). It's a favorite of political pundits.
Teste-toi
Complete the phrase with the correct words.
Il n'arrive pas à choisir son camp, il a le ___ entre deux ___.
The standard idiom is 'le cul entre deux chaises'.
Which situation best describes 'avoir le cul entre deux chaises'?
Situation:
The idiom refers to the stress and instability of being unable to choose between two options.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: Tu viens au ciné ou tu restes réviser ? B: Je ne sais pas, j'ai vraiment...
The context of choosing between two activities makes this the correct idiom.
Match the register to the sentence.
Match 'Formal', 'Neutral', and 'Informal'.
The presence of 'cul' makes it informal, while abstract vocabulary like 'ambivalente' makes it formal.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIl n'arrive pas à choisir son camp, il a le ___ entre deux ___.
The standard idiom is 'le cul entre deux chaises'.
Situation:
The idiom refers to the stress and instability of being unable to choose between two options.
A: Tu viens au ciné ou tu restes réviser ? B: Je ne sais pas, j'ai vraiment...
The context of choosing between two activities makes this the correct idiom.
Match 'Formal', 'Neutral', and 'Informal'.
The presence of 'cul' makes it informal, while abstract vocabulary like 'ambivalente' makes it formal.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's equivalent to 'ass' in English. Not a 'curse word' like the F-word, but definitely not polite.
Yes! Like choosing between chocolate and vanilla ice cream, though it's a bit dramatic.
'Être dans une situation d'indécision' or 'Être entre deux chaises'.
Absolutely. It's a timeless classic of the French language.
No, the idiom is strictly 'deux chaises'. If you have three options, you're just 'perdu' (lost).
Only if you are very close with the colleague. Otherwise, avoid it.
Very similar, but 'sitting on the fence' is often neutral, while the French version emphasizes the discomfort and the risk of falling.
Tu auras le cul entre deux chaises.
Often people shrug their shoulders and hold their hands out to the sides while saying it.
Yes, to describe something that doesn't fit into a category (e.g., a car that's too small for a family but too big for the city).
Expressions liées
Ménager la chèvre et le chou
similarTo try to please two opposing parties.
Courir deux lièvres à la fois
similarTo try to do two things at once and fail.
Trancher
contrastTo decide firmly; to cut through the hesitation.
Être au pied du mur
builds onTo be forced to make a decision.
