Meaning of caught between two stools | Babel Free

Definitions

Unable to fit into either of two conflicting categories, and as a result likely to fail.

Examples

“Scientists are caught between two stools. On the one hand, they have⟳ been brought up to apply⟳ rigorous experimental procedures to precisely defined problems with results that have⟳ to meet⟳ standards of peer review⟳. On the other hand, they are being told that such reductionism is insufficient and that unless they broaden the scope of their work⟳ they will suffer⟳ reduced support⟳.”

“No matter⟳ how hard they tried to clarify⟳ their position, the universalists found themselves “caught between two stools”—that is, Nazism and Austrofascism— rejected by the former and rejecting the latter.”

“As a result⟳, they are caught between two stools: on the one hand, they model⟳ their social integration on traditional gender roles and struggle⟳ to live⟳ by these standards, even though these roles are at odds with what they actually feel⟳; and on the other hand, they feel⟳ that these gender roles constrain them and diminish their sense⟳ of their personal identity, either because they cannot live⟳ by the standards these roles imposed on them or because their aspiration to put⟳ them selve first encourages them to refuse⟳ to allow⟳ themselves to be hemmed in.”

CEFR level