in the middle

phrase

: in a difficult, awkward, or unpleasant position
They were feuding and she didn't want to get caught in the middle.

Examples of in the middle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The approach appears to be adding a midfielder who can cover larger spaces in the middle of the pitch, enabling the team to be more proactive and aggressive in their press. — Jon MacKenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Southern California is in the middle of a Super El Niño heat and humidity wave. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026 No one wants a $500 water bill in the middle of the summer, right? — Alex Hager, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 Schultz drove up as a group of agents was arresting an anti-ICE observer in the middle of the street. — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for in the middle

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in the middle was circa 1928

Rhymes for in the middle

See All Rhymes for in the middle

Browse Nearby Words

in the melting pot
in the middle
in the middle of
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In the middle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20middle. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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