Middle of the road

Definitions

• average or moderate
  Describing something as neither outstanding nor terrible, but rather average or moderate

• indecisive or uncommitted
  Referring to someone who is hesitant or unwilling to take a clear position or make a firm decision

• politically moderate
  Referring to a person or a political stance that is neither extremely liberal nor extremely conservative

Examples of Middle of the road

• The new political candidate seems to be taking a middle-of-the-road approach, avoiding extreme positions and instead focusing on finding compromise solutions.

  The phrase "middle of the road" here refers to a political stance that avoids taking extreme or radical positions on issues, instead aiming for mid-points or compromises that can appeal to a wider range of voters.

• When choosing a car, my friend prefers middle-of-the-road options that offer a good balance between performance and price, rather than going for the most expensive or the cheapest models.

  Here, "middle of the road" refers to a moderate or average position that falls between two extremes, such as between expensive and cheap cars.

• As a writer, I try to take a middle-of-the-road approach to criticism, acknowledging both the strengths and weaknesses of a piece while avoiding being overly harsh or overly generous.

  This use of "middle of the road" means finding a balanced and fair way to discuss the merits and flaws of a work or performance, rather than being excessively critical or excessively positive.

• To balance a healthy diet, I strive for a middle-of-the-road approach, incorporating a variety of foods from all major food groups in appropriate proportions.

  In this context, "middle of the road" refers to finding a moderated and balanced diet that avoids extremes, such as excessive consumption of any particular food group or extreme diets such as fasting or overeating.

• John tends to take the middle of the road approach when it comes to politics, avoiding extreme views and instead choosing the most moderate stance possible.

  The phrase "middle of the road" is often used to describe someone who is not strongly aligned with any particular political party or ideology. Instead, they try to find a middle ground between the two, avoiding extreme views and positions that may alienate others. This approach is seen as a pragmatic one, as it allows for compromise and cooperation between opposing viewpoints. However, some critics argue that it lacks conviction and can lead to a lack of action or progress, as the middle ground may not always be the most effective or desirable solution. Overall, the use of "middle of the road" in this context denotes a sensible and balanced approach to politics, which attempts to avoid the extremes of the political spectrum.

Conclusion

The idiom "middle of the road" can be used to describe something as average or moderate, or to refer to someone who is indecisive or uncommitted. It can also be used in a political context to describe a moderate stance.

Origin of "Middle of the road"

The phrase "middle of the road" originated from the literal meaning of the idiom, which refers to the center of a road. In the 19th century, it was used to describe the safe position to walk in order to avoid the dangers of the passing traffic. Over time, the phrase evolved to be used in a figurative sense to describe a moderate or average position.

In the early 20th century, the idiom began to be used in a political context to refer to a moderate stance that was neither extremely liberal nor extremely conservative. This usage became particularly popular in the United States during the mid-20th century. Today, "middle of the road" is a widely recognized idiom used in various contexts to describe something that is neither extreme nor exceptional.