A pessimist, confronted with two bad choices, chooses both.
Jewish proverb
Everyone has to make decisions and it’s not only difficult to take them but how to talk about decisions may be a problem as well. Sometimes they are less important, but sometimes they are life-changing ones. Learn new phrases to equip yourself with the language which will help you to talk about your choices and decisions.
PHRASES AND IDIOMS TO TALK ABOUT DECISIONS
TO BE IN TWO MINDS ABOUT STH
– whether to do it or not
I’m in two minds about going to Jennifer’s party.
TO BE SHORTLISTED
– to be chosen from a large number of applicants for a job
Mary has been shortlisted for the position of marketing manager and now she is preparing for a job interview.
TO BE SPOILT FOR CHOICE
– to have a lot of similar things to choose from
The restaurant has a big variety of dishes. I’m spoilt for choice and don’t know what to choose.
TO HAVE A CHANGE OF HEART
– to change the way you feel about sth
I wasn’t going to do that, but I had a change of heart and did it.
TO HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO …
– to have no other choice
If you don’t pay, I will have no alternative but to take legal action against you.
TO OPT FOR
– to choose to do something
After much deliberation, I opted for the car.
TO REACH / COME TO / ARRIVE AT A DECISION
– to decide
We have reached a decision concerning changing flats.
TO SIT ON THE FENCE
– to delay making a decision when you have to choose between two sided in an argument
She criticized members of the committee for sitting on the fence and failing to make a useful contribution to the debate.
TO BE TORN BETWEEN ST AND STH
– to find two things attractive and not be able to decide between them
I don’t know which dress to choose. I’m torn between blue and purple.
TO TAKE THE PLUNGE
– to decide to do something risky or difficult after thinking about it for a long time
After years of hesitation, I finally took the plunge and started my own business.
TO WEIGH UP THE PROS AND CONS
– to consider both the good and bad aspects before deciding
We’re weighing up the pros and cons of moving abroad.
TO MAKE UP YOUR MIND
– to decide
I can’t make up my mind about what to wear tonight.
TO GO BACK AND FORTH
– to change your opinion repeatedly
We’ve been going back and forth about whether to renovate the kitchen or not.
TO STICK TO YOUR GUNS
– to refuse to change your decision even when pressured
Even though everyone disagreed, she stuck to her guns.
USEFUL CONNECTORS FOR DISCUSSING DECISIONS
On the one hand… on the other hand…
Used to show two sides of an argument or two contrasting points.
On the one hand, moving abroad would be an amazing adventure. On the other hand, I’d really miss my family and friends.
On the one hand, the job offers great pay; on the other hand, the workload sounds overwhelming.
Having said that…
Used to introduce a contrasting or balancing point after you’ve just stated something.
The company is small and still developing. Having said that, the potential for growth is huge.
I’m not really a morning person. Having said that, I don’t mind getting up early for something exciting.
At the end of the day…
Used to summarize what’s most important after considering all factors.
At the end of the day, what matters most is your happiness.
We can debate this all night, but at the end of the day, we need to make a decision.
It all comes down to…
Used to express the key factor in making a decision.
It all comes down to whether we can afford it or not.
In the end, it all comes down to trust.
Let’s weigh our options…
Used to suggest carefully comparing possible choices before deciding.
Let’s weigh our options before we commit to anything.
Before signing the contract, let’s weigh our options and see if there’s a better offer.