English idioms - choices, options and alternatives

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English idioms relating to CHOICES - OPTIONS - ALTERNATIVES

About-turn / about-face	This term refers to a complete change of opinion or policy. "The ambassador's recent declarations indicate an about-turn in foreign policy."
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."
Argue the toss	If you argue the toss, you dispute a decision or choice which has already been made. "The final choice was made yesterday, so don't argue the toss now! "
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 cannot do one thing without 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!"
Draw a line in the sand	If you draw a line in the sand, you establish a limit beyond which a certain situation or activity will not be accepted. "That's it! We're going to draw a line in the sand and make this our final proposal."
Fall by the wayside	If something falls by the wayside, people fail to finish it or stop trying to do it. "Local residents protested so strongly that plans for a new motorway fell by the wayside."
Fait accompli	This French term refers to something that has been done and cannot be changed. "He used his savings to buy a motorbike and then presented his parents with a fait accompli."
Fast track something	If you decide to fast track something, such as a task or project, you give it high priority so that the objective is reached as quickly as possible. "In view of the number of homeless, it was decided to fast track the construction of low-cost housing."
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."
Go along for the ride	If you join a group of people you find interesting, without wanting to take an active part in their action, you go along for the ride. "Not all the protesters were active in the movement- some just went along for the ride."
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."
Horns of a dilemma	If you are on the horns of a dilemma, you are faced with a choice between two equally unpleasant options. "I'm on the horns of a dilemma; I have to choose between a boring job with a good salary or a more interesting job with a lower salary."
If it ain't broke don't fix it!	This expression means that if a system or method works well, you shouldn't change it. "We're not changing our alarm system. As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
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."
Lesser of two evils	If you choose the lesser of two evils, you opt for the less unpleasant of two poor options. "I didn't want to go. Choosing the train instead of driving was the lesser of two evils; at least I could relax on the way."
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!"
My way or the highway!	If you say to someone "it's my way or the highway" you are telling that person that either they accept what you tell them to do or they leave the project. "You don't have much choice when someone says : "It's my way or the highway."
No-brainer	A decision or choice that requires little or no thought, because the best option is so obvious, is called a no-brainer. "The choice was between a cash refund or having the amount credited to my account - it was a no-brainer! - I took the cash!
Plan B	Plan B is an alternative solution to be adopted if one's original plan does not succeed. "The idea is to get a caterer to provide the food if it's not too expensive. If it's too costly, Plan B is to organize a buffet with the help of my friends."
Point of no return	When you reach the point of no return, you must continue what you have started, because you have gone so far that it is impossible to go back. "I've agreed to speak and accepted the fee. I've now reached the point of no return and must make the speech I promised."
Put on ice	To say that a plan or project is put on ice means that all further action has been postponed for an indefinite period of time. "Plans for a nuclear power station have been put on ice."
Shotgun approach	If you use a shotgun approach, you cover a wide range in a non-selective, haphazard and inefficient manner. "Identifying a specific segment of the market as our target will be more effective than a shotgun approach.
Take a back seat	If you take a back seat, you choose to have a less important function and become less involved in something. "He decided it was time to take a back seat and let someone younger run the club."
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."
Tunnel vision	If a person has tunnel vision, they focus on only one aspect of something, or they are unable to see more than one way of doing things. "Our manager has tunnel vision. He sees no reason to change anything."
Weigh the pros and cons	If you weigh the pros and cons, you consider the advantages and disadvantages, the arguments for or against something. "We'd better weigh the pros and cons before deciding."

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