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.

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. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. 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 Mr 'Give Back to the Working Class' in office, it's still the wealthy elite getting all the tax breaks.

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.

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]

choose up

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.