above the fray

Syllable breakdown

Dictionary meaning

positioned at a remove from the contentious, competitive, or undignified aspects of political or social conflict, projecting an image of principled detachment from partisan struggle; politicians and public figures who position themselves above the fray claim to be motivated by national interest rather than partisan advantage, and to engage with issues at a level of statesmanship that transcends the petty infighting of normal political combat; the phrase can describe genuine moral elevation or be used to critique those whose apparent detachment masks unwillingness to take difficult stands