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| 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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