The phrase "be straddling" refers to the act of sitting or standing with one leg on each side of an object or area. There are several synonyms for this term that can be used interchangeably. These include "be astride," "be on top of," "balance on," "sit upon," "spread one's legs," "ride across," and "be positioned over." Depending on the context, some of these synonyms may be more appropriate than others. For example, "be riding across" might be more suitable when talking about crossing a river, while "be astride" might be more appropriate when referring to a horseback rider.