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The Most Helpful Idioms With Meaning and Examples. Topic – Choices

English idioms are the spice of language, offering a unique flavor to everyday communication. These common idioms serve as gems, each carrying a distinctive meaning beyond their literal interpretation. Let’s explore the fascinating world of idioms with an idiom example. Consider the phrase “burning the midnight oil,” depicting intense effort or working late into the night. In this idiom sample, the image of a lamp burning late symbolizes diligence and commitment. Understanding idioms with meaning is like deciphering a secret code, unlocking a deeper layer of expression. So, whether you’re “walking on eggshells” or “seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” incorporating these idiomatic expressions into your language repertoire adds flair and nuance, transforming ordinary conversations into rich tapestries of communication.

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about turn / about face The terms ‘about turn’ or ‘about face’ refer 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!
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.
as broad as it’s long This expression means that there is 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!
change your mind If you change your mind you change your original opinion, plan or choice. At first I intended to rent a car, but then I changed my mind and decided to use public transport.
cherry pick When you cherry pick, you choose something with great care and select only the best. Top university graduates are often cherry-picked by large companies.
different strokes for different folks This expression means that each individual has their own tastes and requirements. What suits one person may not suit another. Alison really enjoys gardening, whereas Julie finds it a chore. Different strokes for different folks!
embarrassment of riches When there is much more of something than necessary, and it is difficult to make a choice, you have an embarrassment of riches. Our hosts presented us with an embarrassment of riches. There was so much food that we didn’t know where to start!
fait accompli This French expression 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.
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.
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.
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 choose among several possible courses of action. The offer sounds good, but keep your options open until you’re sure it’s the best choice.
know your own mind If you know your own mind, you know what you want or like, and are capable of making a decision. I don’t want to influence you. You’re old enough to know your own mind.
(the) 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 at all, but choosing the train instead of driving was the lesser of two evils; at least I could relax on the way.
(the) 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.
(the) 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 them that either they accept to do as you say or they leave the project. You don’t have much choice when someone says: ‘it’s my way or the highway’!
no accounting for taste This expression is used to indicate surprise at another person’s likes or dislikes. It’s a way of saying that personal preferences or choices are not debatable. She fell in love with a guy who’s short, fat, bald and poor … there’s no accounting for taste!
(a) 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 the original plan does not succeed. The idea is to get a caterer to provide the food. If that’s too expensive, plan B is to organise a buffet with the help of friends.
(the) point of no return When you reach the point of no return, you have no option but to continue what you have started, because you have gone so far that it is impossible to go back. I’ve resigned from teaching and decided to become a writer. Now I’ve reached the point of no return and must work on the book I am writing.
take pot luck If you take pot luck, you accept whatever is available without knowing what it will be like. We were so hungry we decided to take pot luck and stopped at the first restaurant we saw.
take a stand When you take a stand, you adopt a firm position on an issue and publicly declare whether you support it or are against it. The politician was asked to take a stand on the government’s proposed measures to curb illegal immigration.
test the water(s) If you test the water(s), you try to find out how acceptable or successful something is before becoming involved in it. You should go to a gym class to test the water before enrolling.
(a) 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.
(a) toss-up When there are two options or possibilities to choose from, and both are equally good, the choice between the two is called a toss-up (like tossing a coin). Both boxers are in excellent condition. It’s a toss-up which of them will win.
weigh the pros and cons If you weigh the pros and cons, you consider the advantages and disadvantages, the arguments for or against something. They weighed the pros and cons of the house before signing.
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  1. What are idioms? Idioms are expressions or phrases that hold a figurative meaning beyond their literal interpretation. They add color and depth to language.

  2. Why are idioms important in English? Idioms help convey complex ideas succinctly and vividly, enhancing communication and offering cultural insights.

  3. Can you provide some examples of idioms? Certainly! Examples include “raining cats and dogs” (heavy rain), “kick the bucket” (pass away), and “bite the bullet” (face a difficult situation).

  4. How do I understand the meaning of idioms? Understanding idioms often requires context and cultural familiarity. Exploring their origins and usage in sentences helps grasp their meanings.

  5. Are all idioms universal or do they vary by region? Idioms can vary across regions and cultures. While some idioms are universal, many are culturally specific.

  6. Are there common idioms used in everyday conversation? Yes, several idioms, like “break a leg” (good luck) or “piece of cake” (easy task), are frequently used in daily conversations.

  7. Do idioms have fixed meanings? Generally, yes. However, some idioms might have slight variations in meaning or usage based on context or region.

  8. How can I incorporate idioms into my writing or speech? Using idioms contextually and accurately can add richness to your language. Start by understanding their meanings and then applying them naturally.

  9. Are idioms only found in English? No, idioms exist in many languages. Each language has its own set of colorful expressions and phrases.

  10. Where can I learn more idioms and their meanings? Online resources, books on idioms, and even language learning platforms offer extensive lists of idioms with explanations of their meanings and origins.

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