fall between two stools: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  internationalliteral
  • To fall physically into the space between two stools.

  Examples

  Beta

  • During the comedy show, the clown accidentally fell between two stools on the stage.

    During the comedy show, the clown physically fell into the space between two stools on the stage.

  • I laughed so hard that I nearly fell between the stools in the kitchen.

    I laughed so hard that I nearly physically fell into the space between the stools in the kitchen.

  • Be careful when you sit down; don’t fall between the stools or you might hurt yourself.

    Be careful when you sit down; don’t physically fall into the space between the stools or you might hurt yourself.

  • As the children played, one of them slipped and fell between two stools set up as obstacles.

    As the children played, one of them slipped and physically fell into the space between two stools set up as obstacles.

• 2.

  UKglobalidiomaticchiefly British
  • To fail because something does not fit into either of two categories or roles, resulting in neglect or unsuccessful attempts at both.

  Examples

  Beta

  • When designing the new role, Jenna realized it would fall between two stools, neither fitting the marketing nor the sales team perfectly.

    Al diseñar el nuevo puesto, Jenna se dio cuenta de que caería entre dos sillas, sin encajar perfectamente ni en marketing ni en el equipo de ventas.

  • The project fell between two stools because it was too technical for the creative team but not technical enough for the engineers.

    El proyecto quedó entre dos sillas porque era demasiado técnico para el equipo creativo pero no lo suficiente para los ingenieros.

  • If you try to mix those two approaches, you might fall between two stools and end up failing at both.

    Si intentas mezclar esos dos enfoques, podrías caer entre dos sillas y terminar fallando en ambos.