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English idioms relating to
CHOICES  -  OPTIONS  -  ALTERNATIVES
 

 

  Any port in a storm   When you have no choice, any port in a storm refers to a solution you
  accept, which in normal circumstances you would find unacceptable.
  "The hotel was substandard, but it was a case of any port in a storm;
  all the others were full."
  Back/bet on the wrong horse   If you back or bet on the wrong horse, for example the loser in a
  contest, match or election, you support the wrong person.
 
"When I voted for him, I was convinced he would win, but I backed
  the wrong horse!"
  The ball is in your court    If the ball is in your court, it is your turn to speak or act next.
 "We gave the manager a list of complaints, so the ball is in his court now."
  Best of both worlds   If a person has the best of both worlds, they have the benefits and
  advantages of two different things.
  "We live in the centre of town, but only 5 minutes from the beach. 
  We have the best of both worlds."
  Between the devil and the deep
  blue sea
  If you are between the devil and the deep blue sea, you are
  in a situation where there are two equally unpleasant alternatives.
  "When the new product didn't take off, the management was caught
  between the devil and the deep blue sea: develop a new marketing
  campaign or drop the product."
  It's as broad as it's long   This expression means that it makes no real difference which
  alternative is chosen.
  "Take the high-speed train or fly and take a taxi?
   It's as broad as it's long."
  Catch 22   A catch 22 situation refers to a frustrating situation where you need
  to do one thing before doing a second, and you cannot do the second
  before doing the first.
  "I can't get a job without a work permit, and I can't get a work permit
  without a job. It's a catch 22 situation!"
 On the fence   When faced with a choice, a person who is on the fence has not
  yet reached a decision.
  "The candidates have such similar ideas that many electors are still
  on the fence."
  Hedge your bets   If you hedge your bets, you choose two or more courses of action
  in order to reduce the risk of loss or error.
 
"The company hedged its bets by developing a second line of products."
  In a quandary   If you are in a quandary about something, you find it difficult to decide
  what to do.
  "The job they offer is less interesting but the salary is better. I'm in
  a quandary about what to do."
  In two minds   If you are in two minds about something, you have difficulty deciding
  what to do.
  
"I'm in two minds about whether or not to accept the offer."
  Keep your options open   When you keep your options open, you postpone making a decision
  so that you can chose among several possible courses of action.
  "The offer sounds good, but keep your options open until you're sure
  it's the best choice."
  Line of least resistance   If you opt for the line of least resistance, you choose the easiest
  way of doing something.
 
"To make sure the children would stay inside, he chose the line of
  least resistance and rented a film."
  Luck of the draw   To refer to something that happens as the luck of the draw means
  that it is the result of pure chance, with no possibility of choice.
  "The samples distributed varied in size and value; it was the luck of
   the draw!"
  Toss-up   When there are two options or possibilities to chose from, and
  both are equally good, the choice between the two is referred to
  as a toss-up (like tossing a coin).
  "Both boxers are in excellent condition.  It's a toss-up which of
  them will win the match."


 

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