chose
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Related to chose: Chose in action
choose the lesser of two evils
To pick the less offensive of two undesirable options. I wasn't excited about going to a seminar all weekend, but I also didn't want to lose my license, so I chose the lesser of two evils and spent the weekend learning about new regulations in our field. Do you really want to get a demerit for not having your blazer? Just choose the lesser of two evils and tell the teacher you forgot it—maybe she'll take pity on you!
choose among (people or things)
To select from a group of options. The supervisor will choose among these candidates for someone to fill the position.
choose between (two people or things)
To select one person or thing from two options. We will choose between the two best candidates for the job. I'm exhausted because I had to choose between sleep or finishing this paper last night.
choose from (people or things)
To select from a group of options. The supervisor will choose from these candidates for someone to fill the position.
See also: choose
choose sides
1. To ally or agree with one person or group in an argument. I refuse to choose sides between my two daughters! I didn't intend to choose sides, but Nancy made the stronger case.
2. To divide a group of people into teams, as when playing a sport or game. The game hasn't started yet because it's taking those guys forever to choose sides!
choose up sides
To divide a group of people into teams, as when playing a sport or game. The game hasn't started yet because it's taking those guys forever to choose up sides!
choose up
To divide a group of people into teams, as when playing a sport or game. The game hasn't started yet because it's taking those guys forever to choose up!
plus ça change (plus c'est la même chose)
From French, meaning "the more things change, the more they remain the same." In English, the phrase is used in reference to situations or problems that remain the same, even when people or things involved in them are different. We move into a fancy new office, and still, the server crashes all the time. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. Plus ça change, eh? Even with the so-called champion of the working man in office, it's still the wealthy elite getting all the tax breaks.
pick and choose
To select and combine various different options as one desires. Starting next month, customers of the airline will no longer be able to pick and choose the things they pay for on their flights, instead having to select one of three pre-determined price tiers.
choose (one's) moment
To thoughtfully and prudently decide the best moment to act. Sometimes used ironically to suggest the opposite. I suggest choosing your moment before you ask the boss for a raise. Wow, she broke up with him on his birthday? She really knows how to choose her moment.
choose the line of least resistance
To do something or decide on a course of action that avoids confrontation or difficulty. Let's not try to innovate this time—just choose the line of least resistance so we can get the job done on time. You're never going to be respected by your boss if you choose the line of least resistance every time he asks you to do something you don't want to do.
choose the path of least resistance
To do something or decide on a course of action that avoids confrontation or difficulty. Let's not try to innovate this time—just choose the path of least resistance so we can get the job done on time. You're never going to be respected by your boss if you choose the path of least resistance every time he asks you to do something you don't want to do.
choose (up) sides
to select from a group to be on opposing sides for a debate, fight, or game. (Fixed order.) Let's choose up sides and play basketball. The children chose up sides and began the game.
pick and choose
to choose very carefully from a number of possibilities; to be selective. You must take what you are given. You cannot pick and choose. Meg is so beautiful. She can pick and choose from a whole range of boyfriends.
choose up
Select players and form sides for a game or team, as in Jean was always afraid she'd be last when it was time to choose up. [First half of 1900s]
pick and choose
Select with great care, as in John and Kate loved to go to the pastry shop, especially if they had time to pick and choose . Despite its redundancy ( pick and choose are synonyms), this phrase has survived since the 1400s.
pick and choose
select only the best or most desirable or appropriate from among a number of alternatives.ˌpick and ˈchoose
take time and care to choose something you really want: There are so few jobs in banking at the moment that you’re not really in a position to pick and choose.choose up
v.
To select players and form sides, teams, or some other group for a game or competition: The two captains chose up sides for the baseball game.
pick and choose
To select with great care.