fall between two stools

Definition

To fit into neither of two categories and, hence, be neglected or fail.

Etymology

From an old proverb, "Between two stools, one falls to the ground", which dates from 1390. This, in turn, is most likely a translation of the medieval Latin proverb labitur enitens sellis herere duabus ("he falls trying to sit on two seats").

Example Sentences

• "Unfortunately, it fell between two stools: it was not good enough to be a competition car and those who wanted a roadburner preferred the Iso Grifo, which was better equipped."
• "Even Henry's will embodies that suspension between two poles, or falling between two stools, which characterises so much of his church's history from the point."
• "Patterson's therory has profound implications for any critical interpretation of the play: if, as she argues, we should recognise two distinct versions of the play with very different political effects, an interpretation which ignores the differences is likely to fall between two stools."