choose the lesser of two evils

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!
See also: choose, evil, lesser, of, two
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • lesser of two evils
  • the lesser of two evils
  • in a cleft stick
  • in for
  • be in for
  • be in for something
  • it is what it is
  • reconcile (oneself) to (something)
  • reconcile oneself to
  • get out of jail free card
References in periodicals archive
Gary believes GPs prescribe daily methadone to people they know are topping up because they are forced to choose the lesser of two evils. Despite acknowledging individuals choose to abuse prescriptions, Gary says circumstances that lead people to addiction - unemployment, poverty and life trauma - are inevitably pushing people into such a vicious cycle.
When forced to choose, one must choose the lesser of two evils.
Poverty and a lack of services are preventing rebuilding in Mosul, forcing thousands to choose the lesser of two evils and return to the camps.
Voters are forced to choose between the two major party candidates, often feeling they must choose the lesser of two evils. The simple effect of being able to vote your conscience would break the Democrats' and Republicans' two-party monopoly - and a true multiparty system, representing more diverse views, would draw more people into the political process.
"There is no perfect candidate in the race, and when people say you don't have to choose the lesser of two evils, they are right, because you have to choose the lesser of four."
And in those moments, a robot car may have to choose the lesser of two evils -- for example, swerving onto a crowded sidewalk to avoid being rear-ended by a speeding truck or staying put and placing its occupants in mortal danger.
He apparently seeks to force the world to choose the lesser of two evils. Iran and Russia are targeting the opposition forces, not ISIL or al-Nusra.
Telecommunications Minister Boutros Harb said the March 14 coalition would be forced to choose the lesser of two evils when its lawmakers vote next week to extend Parliament's mandate, blaming Aoun and Hezbollah for putting the coalition in such a situation.
considered Russia an evil and preferred Europe to it, he was to choose the lesser of two evils not to face such a humiliating situation.
I watched my Maronite friends debating on Facebook with sadness, they did not have ambitions like Greek or Turkish Cypriots to become President, Foreign Minister or to ever become a MEP -- they seemed resigned to their fate always trying to choose the lesser of two evils.
THERE'S more than one thing wrong here and I'm glad you're trying to choose the lesser of two evils to spare your girlfriend more pain than necessary.
In interviews with dozens of workers in communities visited by the 1992 Clinton campaign, many suggested that they don't plan to choose the lesser of two evils.
Nader has good reason to stand against a voting system that encourages voters to choose the lesser of two evils: His 97,488 votes as the Green Party candidate in the 2000 presidential election in Florida are blamed for, or credited with, giving George W.
In the end, the civil war in Syria is turning into a horrific clash that is forcing the people of Syria to choose the lesser of two evils. The talks in Geneva continue to be the only hope that at some time, a solution will emerge on the Syrian war front.
"Given a choice between a vacuum and an extension, the lawmakers will choose the lesser of two evils: the extension."