middle of the road

See also: middle-of-the-road

English

Alternative forms

• middle-of-the-road

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Adjective

middle of the road

1. (idiomatic) Having a centrist attitude or philosophy; not extreme, especially politically.

   Synonym: moderate

   A typical middle of the road compromise is to leave the problem as it is.

   • 2020 November 12, Tova O'Brien, “Despite her mandate, Ardern's agenda will be resolutely middle of the road”, in The Guardian‎^[1]:

     Despite her massive mandate, [Jacinda] Ardern's agenda will be resolutely middle of the road [title]

2. (music, sometimes derogatory) Of a type of melodic popular music that has wide appeal.
   • 2015 September 10, Damon Albarn, quotee, “Damon Albarn suggests new Adele album is ‘very middle of the road’”, in The Guardian‎^[2]:

     Damon Albarn has disappointed fans expecting the third Adele album to take a drill’n’bass direction by saying that the tracks he has heard are “very middle of the road”.

Derived terms

• middle-of-the-roadness