middle of the road

alternative middle-of-the-road

1. idiomaticHaving a centrist attitude or philosophy; not extreme, especially politically.

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

   1 more example

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

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

   Synonyms: moderate, reasonable, measured, mellow, mild, moderate, nonexcessive, nonextreme

2. derogatorysometimesentertainmentOf a type of melodic popular music that has wide appeal.

   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”.

   2015 September 10, Damon Albarn, quotee, “Damon Albarn suggests new Adele album is ‘very middle of the road’”, in The Guardian

alternative middle-of-the-road

1. idiomaticuncountableThe middle; the average.

   If us two competed together, we'd probably score just barely under the middle of the road.