option

Related to option: stock option, call option, put option

all options stink

There is no good option in this particular situation. I don't know what we're going to do here—all options stink.
See also: all, option, stink

keep (one's) options open

To refrain from making a decision or commitment that will limit one's choices in the future. You're awfully young to be getting married. I just think you should keep your options open until you're finished with college. They've offered me a good salary if I stay with the company, but I think I'd like to keep my options open.
See also: keep, open, option

leave (one's) options open

To refrain from making a decision or commitment that will limit one's choices in the future. You're awfully young to be getting married. I just think you should leave your options open until you're finished with college. They've offered me a good salary if I stay with the company, but I think I'd like to leave my options open for now.
See also: leave, open, option

nuclear option

1. The use of nuclear weapons, as by the military, often considered a last resort. I'm worried about the repercussions if our military officials choose the nuclear option.
2. In the US Senate, a course of action allowing the majority party to end filibustering with a simple majority, rather than the usually required supermajority of 60%. Senators could, however, use the nuclear option to approve that nomination.
3. An especially drastic decision or action. Calling the CEO about this issue is definitely the nuclear option—let's see what we can do on our own first.
See also: nuclear, option

soft option

A possible course of action that does not require as much effort, hardship, or unpleasantness compared to the alternative(s). The government is trying to find a soft option on tax reform that won't drive away businesses but won't cost the state billions in lost revenue each year. I think he decided to stay in his job because it was the soft option—it was safe, secure, and he knew how to do it, even if he was bored stiff.
See also: option, soft

the easy option

A less strenuous, less risky, or less difficult way of doing something; a means of doing something that avoids effort or difficulty. Even though my dad had always wanted to be a cartoonist, he took the easy option and got an office job so he'd have a secure income for the family.
See also: easy, option

the soft option

A less strenuous, less risky, or less difficult way of doing something; a means of doing something that avoids effort or difficulty. Even though my dad had always wanted to be a cartoonist, he took the soft option and got an office job so he'd have a secure income for the family.
See also: option, soft
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a soft option

A soft option is something that will not take much effort or not be very unpleasant. They do not simply become a nanny because they think it is a soft option, better than commuting to an office each day. We're not giving young offenders a soft option. Note: This expression is usually used to show disapproval.
See also: option, soft
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

keep (or leave) your options open

avoid committing yourself.
1996 Colin Bateman Of Wee Sweetie Mice and Men Have it your way. We'll go to Princetown. But I'm keeping my options open. If there's any more trouble…we're out, we're home.
See also: keep, open, option

soft option

an easier alternative.
See also: option, soft
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the ˌsoft/ˌeasy ˈoption

(often disapproving) an easier way of doing something; an easier course of action because it involves less effort, difficulty, etc: If you want to go for the soft option, you can get the qualification in three years rather than two. He decided to take the easy option and give them what they wanted.
See also: easy, option, soft

keep/leave (all) your ˈoptions open

avoid making a decision now so that you still have a choice in the future: Doing business with him is sometimes quite stressful. He likes to keep all his options open until the very last minute.
See also: keep, leave, open, option
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

All options stink

and AOS
phr. & comp. abb. All options stink.; There is no good solution. I don’t know what to do. All options stink. Since AOS, I’ll do nothing at all.
See also: all, option, stink
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • all options stink
  • AOS
  • stank
  • stink
  • stunk
  • holy stink
  • a holy stink
  • be (one's) last resort
  • call (something) into play
  • put (something) into play
References in periodicals archive
In a worst-case scenario, if Microsoft shares rise from $139 to $180 by the expiration date, the option seller simply must sell those Microsoft shares to the buyer at $175 per share, missing out on the final $5 of market gains.
How To Make Money Trading Options After You Retire
During the subscription period, the option right recipients have subscribed for altogether 1 875 000 option rights.
eQ reports on subscriptions under option programme
The investor could also go to the market and close his position by buying a call option with a strike price of PS90 but in this case his loss would be normally about the same.
the potential pitfalls of naked options laid bare
Google and EA were exceptions to the trend of structuring accounting-neutral option exchange programs.
Underwater stock compensation: what options do employers have?
If the OTM option is exercised, it leads to a negative cash flow for the buyer.
Trade terms
When determining whether call options, warrants, or similar instruments constitute a second class of stock, there are issues that must be considered, such as strike price, the stock's FMV, and whether the stock option will be exercised.
S stock call options as a second class of stock
* unqualified options exercised without the required withholdings for tax and FICA;
Oversight Systems Inc
At UW-Platteville, we use the Speed Option employing a Load and a Base scheme.
Running an option attack from a shotgun
Underwater options. When an option is underwater, Statement no.
Options and the deferred tax bite: just when you thought it couldn't get any more complicated
The stock price and option exercise price combine to create the intrinsic value of an option.
Fair value era
As mentioned above, conventional option premia should not be counted as income because they correspond to the issuer's contingent liabilities in the future.
Options are an expense, but mandatory grant-date expensing is bad accounting
Managing risk for opportunity increasingly involves investment timing and options thinking.
Change and risk management: managing time and options
As a result, the Joint Commission recently revised its accreditation approach in general and created another option for LTC accreditation.
A new course for JCAHO accreditation: interview with Marianna Kern Grachek, MSN, CNHA, CALA
However, companies often launch stock repurchase plans to mitigate dilution and satisfy their stock option plan obligations.
Are stock options good business options? When considering whether to use them or not, consider all the angles. (Management Trends)
TEI next said that taxpayers have been threatened with penalty assessments for failing to timely deposit withholding and payroll taxes on the day after an employee exercises a stock option. The next-day deposit rule, TEI said, is nearly impossible for companies to comply with in the context of broker-assisted stock option exercises.
Tax Executives Institute--U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Tax Policy liaison meeting: February 25, 2003