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

See Examples For:

caught in the middle

But for all their anger at being caught in the middle of a war they didn't want and tried hard to avoid, Vaez doubts any are ready to sever their ties with the US military.

From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026

For fliers caught in the middle, there’s no single rulebook to follow, aviation watchdogs said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026

For now, Warsh’s nomination is caught in the middle of that fight.

From Barron's ● Mar. 11, 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

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