caught in the middle

Idioms  

1. Also, caught in the cross-fire. Between two opposing sides, as in The writers are often caught in the middle between editor and publisher, who are political opponents, or When parents don't get along, the children are often caught in the cross-fire. Long used in military situations, these terms began to be used figuratively in the second half of the 1800s.

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Example Sentences

For small businesses caught in the middle, deeper dependence on Amazon’s logistics means rising fees, with no leverage to push back.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

As an artificial-intelligence researcher with a specialty in videogames, Togelius is caught in the middle of what he calls “an ongoing culture war” between his passions.

From MarketWatch • May 23, 2026

For the handful of transgender California teens caught in the middle of the fight, it has all been deeply unnerving — if strangely motivating.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

Companies like Hutchison with critical assets in Latin America—or those with infrastructure projects still in the planning phases—could get caught in the middle.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

Cleopatra, now caught in the middle of the conflict without any friends, found herself in extreme danger.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby