fall between two stools

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").

Verb

 * 1)  To fit into neither of two categories and, hence, be neglected or fail.
 * 2)  To attempt two roles and fail at both, when either could have been accomplished singly.
 * 1)  To attempt two roles and fail at both, when either could have been accomplished singly.
 * 1)  To attempt two roles and fail at both, when either could have been accomplished singly.
 * 1)  To attempt two roles and fail at both, when either could have been accomplished singly.

Synonyms

 * fall in a grey area

Translations

 * Hebrew:
 * Hungarian: két szék között a pad alá esik
 * Icelandic: setjast milli tveggja stóla, gjalda óákveðni sinnar
 * Japanese:
 * Latin: duabus sellis sedeo