sitta på två stolar

English translation: a foot in both camps

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Swedish term or phrase:sitta på två stolar
English translation:a foot in both camps
Entered by: Helen Johnson

15:20 Sep 6, 2011
Swedish to English translations [PRO]
Slang / proverb/metaphorical language use
Swedish term or phrase: sitta på två stolar
If someone "sittar på två stolar", what is the equivalent of this in English please? It doesn't quite seem to be the same as "falling between two stools" where someone just can't choose between 2 alternatives. It sounds as though someone is reaping the benefits of 2 situations but I can't think of an equivalent metaphor in English. If I've understood it correctly I can always not worry about using a metaphor.
TIA
Helen Johnson
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:39
a foot in both camps/playing one off against the middle
Explanation:
Could either of these be what you're thinking of Helen?
Selected response from:

Ian Bradburn
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:39
Grading comment
Thanks, Ian
2 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +5wearing two hats
Larry Abramson
5 +1sitting on two chairs
George Hopkins
3a foot in both camps/playing one off against the middle
Ian Bradburn
3sitting on the fence
Diarmuid Kennan


  

Answers


24 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
sitting on two chairs


Explanation:
Try Google...

George Hopkins
Local time: 18:39
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Linda Larsson (X): This one sounds right to me. Sitting on two chairs as in benefitting from both even though it may not be ethical.
2 hrs
  -> Thank you Linda.
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25 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
a foot in both camps/playing one off against the middle


Explanation:
Could either of these be what you're thinking of Helen?

Ian Bradburn
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:39
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 2
Grading comment
Thanks, Ian
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
sitting on the fence


Explanation:
this is how I understand it

Diarmuid Kennan
Ireland
Local time: 17:39
Meets criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
wearing two hats


Explanation:
Both these expressions mean occupying two offices, positions, etc.

Larry Abramson
United States
Local time: 13:39
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tania McConaghy
4 mins

agree  Linnéa Holmén
2 hrs

agree  TroyTempest
3 hrs

agree  Sven Petersson
6 hrs

agree  Johanna Liljenzin
19 hrs
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