Phrase guide

in the middle of

prep · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

prep

Meaning 1

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see in, middle, of.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep

Meaning 2

Engaged in, but not finished with, often with something unpleasant.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: often

Examples

  • I found him in the middle of a custody battle with his first wife.
  • He is still in the middle of a complex installation.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: en train de — engaged in but not finished with
  • German: im Verfahren — engaged in but not finished with
  • German: beim — engaged in but not finished with
  • German: dabei — engaged in but not finished with
  • German: mitten in — engaged in but not finished with
  • Irish: i mbun — engaged in but not finished with
  • Polish: w trakcie — engaged in but not finished with