Making choices is a part of everyday life, and having the right expressions to convey your decisions can make communication more effective. In this blog post, we will explore 20 expressions related to choices, complete with their meanings and example sentences.
1. Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Meaning: Stuck between two bad options.
Example: I’m between a rock and a hard place at work.
2. Bite the Bullet
Meaning: Make a difficult decision.
Example: I had to bite the bullet and quit.
3. Burn Your Bridges
Meaning: End relationships or options permanently.
Example: Don’t burn your bridges with your employer.
4. Call the Shots
Meaning: Make the decisions.
Example: In this team, she calls the shots.
5. Cross That Bridge When You Come to It
Meaning: Deal with problems as they arise.
Example: Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it.
6. Cut and Run
Meaning: Leave quickly to avoid problems.
Example: He decided to cut and run from the deal.
7. Draw a Line in the Sand
Meaning: Set a firm boundary.
Example: She drew a line in the sand about overtime work.
8. Fish or Cut Bait
Meaning: Make a decision or stop trying.
Example: It’s time to fish or cut bait with this project.
9. Go Out on a Limb
Meaning: Take a risk.
Example: He went out on a limb to start his own business.
10. Hedge Your Bets
Meaning: Reduce risk by choosing multiple options.
Example: She hedged her bets by applying to several jobs.
11. Keep Your Options Open
Meaning: Avoid committing to one option.
Example: I’ll keep my options open until I get more information.
12. Leave No Stone Unturned
Meaning: Try every possible option.
Example: They left no stone unturned in their search.
13. Make a Judgment Call
Meaning: Decide based on personal opinion.
Example: I had to make a judgment call on the spot.
14. On the Fence
Meaning: Undecided between two options.
Example: I’m still on the fence about moving abroad.
15. Play It by Ear
Meaning: Decide as you go along.
Example: We’ll play it by ear and see what happens.
16. Pull the Trigger
Meaning: Make a final decision.
Example: It’s time to pull the trigger on this deal.
17. Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
Meaning: Take action based on your words.
Example: He put his money where his mouth is and invested.
18. Sit on the Fence
Meaning: Avoid making a decision.
Example: She’s sitting on the fence about her career change.
19. Split the Difference
Meaning: Compromise between two choices.
Example: Let’s split the difference and meet at 5 PM.
20. Take the Plunge
Meaning: Commit to a risky decision.
Example: They took the plunge and bought the house.
