Making choices is part of everyday life. We decide what to eat, what to wear, or what game to play. Some choices are easy, like picking your favorite ice cream. Others are harder, like deciding who to work with on a school project. To talk about these decisions, people often use special phrases called idioms. Idioms are fun and help us understand ideas in a colorful way.
Idioms about choice can show how people feel when making a decision. They can be about being unsure, feeling stuck, or choosing between two things. Some idioms even give advice about what to do. In this article, we’ll look at many idioms that talk about making choices. These idioms will help you speak and understand English better. They can also make your stories and conversations more interesting.
Idioms About Choice
1. On the fence
Meaning: Unsure about a decision.
Example Sentence:
• She was on the fence about joining the soccer team.
• He’s on the fence about which video game to buy.
Other ways to say: Undecided, can’t choose
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom comes from the image of someone sitting on a fence, not jumping to either side.
Usage: Used when someone hasn’t made up their mind.
2. At a crossroads
Meaning: At a point where a big decision must be made.
Example Sentence:
• After graduation, he was at a crossroads in his life.
• She’s at a crossroads—should she stay or move?
Other ways to say: Facing a choice, needing to decide
Fun Fact/Origin: A crossroads is where roads meet, symbolizing a point of decision.
Usage: Used when someone has to make an important life decision.
3. Bite the bullet
Meaning: To do something difficult or unpleasant.
Example Sentence:
• I had to bite the bullet and tell the truth.
• He bit the bullet and cleaned his messy room.
Other ways to say: Face it, get it over with
Fun Fact/Origin: Soldiers in the past would bite a bullet during painful treatments.
Usage: Used when someone decides to do something hard but necessary.
4. The lesser of two evils
Meaning: Choosing the option that is not as bad as the other.
Example Sentence:
• Both chores were tough, but vacuuming was the lesser of two evils.
• He picked the lesser of two evils and took the bus instead of walking in the rain.
Other ways to say: Choose the better bad choice
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom shows that not all choices are good—sometimes it’s just the better of two bad ones.
Usage: Used when someone must pick between two unpleasant things.
5. Take the plunge
Meaning: To finally do something you were unsure about.
Example Sentence:
• She took the plunge and joined the dance class.
• He took the plunge and tried out for the school play.
Other ways to say: Go for it, give it a try
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from diving into water—taking a bold jump.
Usage: Used when someone finally makes a bold choice.
6. Sit it out
Meaning: To choose not to join in.
Example Sentence:
• I’m tired, so I’ll sit this game out.
• She sat out the dance because she wasn’t feeling well.
Other ways to say: Skip, not take part
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in sports when a player decides to rest.
Usage: Used when someone decides not to join an activity.
7. Flip a coin
Meaning: To make a decision by chance.
Example Sentence:
• We couldn’t decide, so we flipped a coin.
• Flip a coin to see who goes first.
Other ways to say: Decide by luck, use chance
Fun Fact/Origin: Coins have two sides, often used for fair choices.
Usage: Used when a decision is made by tossing a coin.
8. In a pickle
Meaning: In a tricky or tough situation.
Example Sentence:
• He forgot his homework and was in a pickle.
• She’s in a pickle because she promised two friends the same thing.
Other ways to say: In trouble, in a jam
Fun Fact/Origin: This strange phrase has been around since the 1500s.
Usage: Used when someone is stuck with a tough choice or problem.
9. Weigh your options
Meaning: To think carefully about different choices.
Example Sentence:
• Before choosing a club, weigh your options.
• He weighed his options before picking a new hobby.
Other ways to say: Think it over, compare choices
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of using a scale to compare weight.
Usage: Used when someone carefully thinks about choices before deciding.
10. Back and forth
Meaning: Changing your mind often between two options.
Example Sentence:
• She went back and forth about what to wear.
• He kept going back and forth on which game to play.
Other ways to say: Can’t decide, flip-flopping
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase shows movement between two sides.
Usage: Used when someone keeps changing their decision.
11. Call the shots
Meaning: To make the decisions.
Example Sentence:
• In group projects, the teacher lets students call the shots.
• Mom called the shots for our weekend plans.
Other ways to say: Be in charge, make the rules
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom comes from sports and military use.
Usage: Used when someone is the decision-maker.
12. Keep your options open
Meaning: Don’t decide right away.
Example Sentence:
• She kept her options open before choosing a summer camp.
• I want to keep my options open in case a better idea comes.
Other ways to say: Wait and see, stay flexible
Fun Fact/Origin: Used when people don’t want to rush into a choice.
Usage: Used when someone delays a decision to think longer.
13. Cross that bridge when you come to it
Meaning: Wait to deal with a problem until it happens.
Example Sentence:
• Don’t worry about next year now—cross that bridge when you come to it.
• He said he’d cross that bridge later if he didn’t get picked.
Other ways to say: Deal with it later, don’t worry now
Fun Fact/Origin: From the idea of facing a bridge only when you reach it.
Usage: Used when delaying a decision until it’s needed.
14. Between a rock and a hard place
Meaning: Stuck between two tough choices.
Example Sentence:
• She was between a rock and a hard place—tell the truth or keep the secret.
• He was stuck between a rock and a hard place with no easy way out.
Other ways to say: In a tough spot, no good choice
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase has been used for over 100 years.
Usage: Used when both options are hard or bad.
15. Roll the dice
Meaning: To take a risk.
Example Sentence:
• He rolled the dice by trying a new lunch spot.
• She rolled the dice and picked the harder topic for her essay.
Other ways to say: Take a chance, risk it
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from games where dice decide the outcome.
Usage: Used when someone makes a risky decision.
16. Cut to the chase
Meaning: Skip the small talk and get to the main point.
Example Sentence:
• Just cut to the chase—do you want to go or not?
• She cut to the chase and picked her project partner.
Other ways to say: Get to the point, stop stalling
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old movies, where people wanted to get to the action scenes.
Usage: Used when someone wants a quick decision or answer.
17. Have second thoughts
Meaning: To start doubting a decision.
Example Sentence:
• I had second thoughts about quitting the club.
• He had second thoughts after picking the wrong answer.
Other ways to say: Feel unsure, rethink
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom shows how people sometimes change their minds.
Usage: Used when someone begins to doubt their choice.
18. Throw in the towel
Meaning: To give up.
Example Sentence:
• He threw in the towel and stopped trying to solve the puzzle.
• She threw in the towel after practicing for hours with no luck.
Other ways to say: Quit, give up
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from boxing—throwing a towel means surrender.
Usage: Used when someone decides to stop trying.
19. Go with your gut
Meaning: Make a decision based on instinct.
Example Sentence:
• I went with my gut and chose the blue one.
• He followed his gut and made the right call.
Other ways to say: Trust yourself, follow your feeling
Fun Fact/Origin: “Gut” is used here to mean your natural feeling or hunch.
Usage: Used when people decide quickly based on feelings.
20. Make up your mind
Meaning: Decide something.
Example Sentence:
• Make up your mind! We don’t have all day.
• She made up her mind to join the choir.
Other ways to say: Choose, decide
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase has been used since the 1800s.
Usage: Used when someone finally makes a decision.
21. Leave it to chance
Meaning: Let luck decide.
Example Sentence:
• We didn’t plan—it was left to chance.
• She left it to chance and hoped for the best.
Other ways to say: Hope it works out, leave it up to luck
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from relying on random outcomes.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t plan or control the outcome.
22. In two minds
Meaning: Having trouble choosing between two things.
Example Sentence:
• He was in two minds about going to the party.
• She’s in two minds about what book to read next.
Other ways to say: Torn, unsure
Fun Fact/Origin: Means your thoughts are split.
Usage: Used when someone is stuck between choices.
23. Jump the gun
Meaning: To do something too soon.
Example Sentence:
• He jumped the gun and answered before hearing the full question.
• Don’t jump the gun—wait for the signal.
Other ways to say: Act too fast, rush
Fun Fact/Origin: From racing, where starting before the gun means a false start.
Usage: Used when someone makes a decision or acts before the right time.
24. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It’s your turn to decide.
Example Sentence:
• I’ve said what I think. Now the ball is in your court.
• She made an offer—the ball is in his court now.
Other ways to say: Your move, your decision
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from tennis, where the next player has to hit the ball.
Usage: Used when someone else has to make a decision.
25. Burn your bridges
Meaning: Make a decision that you can’t go back on.
Example Sentence:
• He burned his bridges when he left the team.
• Don’t burn your bridges with your best friend.
Other ways to say: Make it final, no turning back
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old times when soldiers burned bridges behind them.
Usage: Used when someone makes a choice that ends a past option.
26. Look before you leap
Meaning: Think before you act.
Example Sentence:
• Look before you leap when changing schools.
• He should have looked before leaping into that deal.
Other ways to say: Think first, be careful
Fun Fact/Origin: This has been a warning for centuries.
Usage: Used when giving advice about careful decision-making.
27. In the driver’s seat
Meaning: In control of making choices.
Example Sentence:
• She’s in the driver’s seat of the school project.
• He felt good being in the driver’s seat for once.
Other ways to say: In charge, leading
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the one who controls the car.
Usage: Used when someone is in control of what happens.
28. Put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: Rely on only one plan.
Example Sentence:
• He put all his eggs in one basket by choosing just one college.
• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket—apply to a few jobs.
Other ways to say: Depend on one thing, risk it all
Fun Fact/Origin: If the basket drops, all the eggs break.
Usage: Used as a warning not to risk everything on one option.
29. Pick and choose
Meaning: Select carefully from options.
Example Sentence:
• She picked and chose her favorite candies.
• He got to pick and choose which games to keep.
Other ways to say: Choose freely, take your pick
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase has been used since the 1600s.
Usage: Used when someone selects from a list of things.
30. Hedge your bets
Meaning: To avoid making a firm choice so you don’t lose.
Example Sentence:
• He hedged his bets and joined two different clubs.
• She hedged her bets by saving some money and spending a little.
Other ways to say: Play it safe, cover your bases
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from gambling and farming, meaning to protect from loss.
Usage: Used when someone is careful about a decision to avoid risk.
31. In a bind
Meaning: In a tough spot with limited choices.
Example Sentence:
• I’m in a bind—I forgot both homework and lunch.
• She was in a bind with no ride home.
Other ways to say: In trouble, in a tough spot
Fun Fact/Origin: “Bind” means tied up, showing being stuck.
Usage: Used when someone has few or no good options.
32. Play it by ear
Meaning: Decide what to do as things happen.
Example Sentence:
• Let’s play it by ear and see how we feel tomorrow.
• He played it by ear and chose lunch when he got to the cafeteria.
Other ways to say: Wait and see, go with the flow
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from music—playing without written notes.
Usage: Used when decisions are made based on the situation.
33. At wit’s end
Meaning: Out of ideas and unsure what to do.
Example Sentence:
• I’m at my wit’s end with this puzzle.
• She was at her wit’s end trying to fix the printer.
Other ways to say: Totally stuck, no clue
Fun Fact/Origin: “Wit” means thinking ability.
Usage: Used when someone feels out of ideas and can’t decide.
34. Toss-up
Meaning: A decision that could go either way.
Example Sentence:
• It’s a toss-up between basketball and baseball.
• Choosing between the two movies was a toss-up.
Other ways to say: Close call, too close to call
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from coin tosses used in decisions.
Usage: Used when two choices are equally likely.
35. Steer clear
Meaning: To avoid a choice or option.
Example Sentence:
• He steered clear of the messy project.
• She steered clear of drama at lunch.
Other ways to say: Avoid, stay away
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sailing, meaning to guide away from danger.
Usage: Used when someone chooses not to get involved.
Quiz: Idioms About Choice
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. Jenna was on the fence about which science project to choose.
A) She finished early.
B) She couldn’t decide.
C) She won a prize.
2. After the meeting, the ball was in his court.
A) He had to make the next move.
B) He played basketball.
C) He went home early.
3. It was a hard choice, but he picked the lesser of two evils.
A) He chose the easier subject.
B) He made a funny choice.
C) He chose the option that wasn’t as bad.
4. I didn’t want to plan, so I just played it by ear.
A) I wrote a song.
B) I made a schedule.
C) I waited to see what would happen.
5. They were at a crossroads after moving to a new city.
A) They had to make a big decision.
B) They took a road trip.
C) They got lost on vacation.
6. Josh flipped a coin to decide what to eat for lunch.
A) He asked a friend.
B) He made the choice randomly.
C) He made a list.
7. I had second thoughts about skipping the field trip.
A) I was excited.
B) I changed my mind and felt unsure.
C) I got a second chance.
8. She jumped the gun and told the surprise too soon.
A) She waited too long.
B) She kept the secret.
C) She spoke before the right time.
9. We told him to look before he leaped into that decision.
A) Think carefully first.
B) Hurry up.
C) Make a wild guess.
10. Alex burned his bridges when he quit the team suddenly.
A) He got a new bridge.
B) He made a final choice he couldn’t undo.
C) He made friends with everyone.
11. Picking a winner is a toss-up.
A) It’s a clear choice.
B) It’s an easy game.
C) It could go either way.
12. Mia decided to take the plunge and try out for the school play.
A) She jumped into a pool.
B) She avoided it.
C) She finally gave it a try.
Answer Key
- B – She couldn’t decide.
- A – He had to make the next move.
- C – He chose the option that wasn’t as bad.
- C – I waited to see what would happen.
- A – They had to make a big decision.
- B – He made the choice randomly.
- B – I changed my mind and felt unsure.
- C – She spoke before the right time.
- A – Think carefully first.
- B – He made a final choice he couldn’t undo.
- C – It could go either way.
- C – She finally gave it a try.
Wrapping Up
Making choices is something we do every day. Sometimes it’s fun, and sometimes it’s tough. Idioms about choice help us talk about these moments in a clear and creative way. They show how people feel when they need to decide.
By learning these idioms, you can speak and write with more meaning. These phrases help you understand others and make your own ideas easier to explain. Next time you’re stuck between two choices, try using one of these idioms—you might find it helps you think more clearly.
