fence with

Idioms  

1. Avoid answering directly, try to evade, as in The mayor was very clever at fencing with the press about his future plans. This expression transfers the parry and thrust of fencing to a verbal exchange. [Second half of 1600s]

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Example Sentences

He also has lined his fence with plastic skeletons and placards reading, “This Prison is Going to Kill Arkansas.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

The Berlin Christmas market we visit is surrounded by a fence with large, concrete blocks placed along it, while a police car patrols one of the entrances.

From BBC • Nov. 28, 2025

Younger voters are also more likely to be on the fence, with nearly a third of 18- to 29-year-olds saying they are unsure, compared with 11% of those older than 65.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2025

The police video also shows Brown pulling himself over the fence with both hands.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2025

The same year, Papa replaced our old-fashioned white picket fence with a fancy iron one and set up the iron stag between the pittosporum bush and the elaeagnus.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns