in the middle
Neither here nor there
In the middle describes a position equidistant from edges or endpoints, whether physical or abstract: The vase sits in the middle of the table.
It often suggests being caught between opposing sides or incomplete in progress: I'm in the middle of something, stuck in the middle of their argument.
The phrase implies neither beginning nor end, sometimes uncomfortably so.
Between two levels
- meanAverage, or spiteful
- averageArithmetic mean or ordinary
- midpointExact center between two
- equidistantEqually far from each
median · halfway · interim · midcourse · in-between · transitional · liminal · interstitial
Central essential portion
- heartCirculatory system's pump
- hubCentral connection point
- nucleusCentral controlling part
- epicenterPoint above seismic origin
focal · pivot · axis · centerpiece · crux · kernel · midpoint · center
Discussion seeking mutual accord
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- agreementShared position between parties
- concessionYielding a point
- trade-offExchange requiring sacrifice
reconciliation · give-and-take · halfway · bargain · accord · resolution · adjustment · arrangement
Having contradictory feelings
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- hesitantSlow to act
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
- tornPulled into pieces
uncertain · vacillating · unsure · noncommittal · irresolute · conflicted · fence-sitting · teetering
One who resolves disputes
- conciliatorOne who restores harmony
- go-betweenAgent connecting separate parties
- intermediaryAgent linking two parties
- negotiatorOne who bargains professionally
peacemaker · referee · liaison · facilitator · moderator · broker · intercessor · diplomat
Not yet complete
- ongoingIn progress now
- incompleteLacking necessary parts
- pausedStopped temporarily
- haltedCame to rest
suspended · underway · partway · midsentence · midstride · midst · cut-off · interjected
State of balance
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- proportionComparative relation of parts
- stabilityResistance to displacement
evenness · poise · equipoise · aligned · calibrated · moderation · temperance · homeostasis
intermediate
Between two levels
equidistant · median · halfway · interim · midcourse · in-between · transitional · liminal · interstitial
core
Central essential portion
epicenter · focal · pivot · axis · centerpiece · crux · kernel · midpoint · center · midst
negotiation
Discussion seeking mutual accord
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- agreementShared position between parties
- concessionYielding a point
trade-off · reconciliation · give-and-take · halfway · bargain · accord · resolution · adjustment · arrangement
ambivalent
Having contradictory feelings
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- hesitantSlow to act
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
torn · uncertain · vacillating · unsure · noncommittal · irresolute · conflicted · fence-sitting · teetering · uncommitted
arbitrator
One who resolves disputes
- conciliatorOne who restores harmony
- go-betweenAgent connecting separate parties
- intermediaryAgent linking two parties
negotiator · peacemaker · referee · liaison · facilitator · moderator · broker · intercessor · diplomat · reconciler
unfinished
Not yet complete
- ongoingIn progress now
- incompleteLacking necessary parts
- pausedStopped temporarily
halted · suspended · underway · partway · midsentence · midstride · midst · cut-off · interjected
equilibrium
State of balance
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- proportionComparative relation of parts
stability · evenness · poise · equipoise · aligned · calibrated · moderation · temperance · homeostasis · centered
in the middleon the edge
In precarious position
at the corner · on the side · off to the side · on the outside · off-center
in the middleat the beginning
At the start
at the end · first · last · initial · final
middle, middleman, middling, middles, middle-aged, midfielder, midfield, midsection, midstream