path of least resistance

the path of least resistance

The thing, option, or course of action that is easiest to do; that which avoids confrontation, difficulty, awkwardness, or tension. We're not looking for major innovations. Just take the path of least resistance so we can get the product finished 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.
See also: least, of, path, resistance
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

path of least resistance

Fig. the easiest course to follow; the easiest route. (Often with follow the or take the.) John will follow the path of least resistance. I like challenges. I won't usually take the path of least resistance.
See also: least, of, path, resistance
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • the path of least resistance
  • least resistance, line of
  • line of least resistance
  • the line of least resistance
  • choose the line of least resistance
  • resistance
  • choose the path of least resistance
  • tension
  • sexual tension
  • take the line of least resistance
References in periodicals archive
If we can't get our students off the path of least resistance, we have only ourselves to blame when the whole world becomes as dumb as a bag of hammers.
If the path of least resistance is the path of less income, then you can see that what you have just read shows you a more professional and profitable approach.
He rarely takes the path of least resistance: He hitchhikes along an ambitious construction project traversing the Peruvian Andes, braves Israel's "Highway of Death" through the West Bank, and walks an ancient 40-mile ice road through the Indian Himalayas.
Childhood physics lessons always taught me that objects moving through a system followed the path of least resistance. Whether it is water running downhill, electricity running through a circuit or even weather systems travelling across a continent, this rule always rings true.
The piston design also allows the scalloped head to rotate freely--reducing wind resistance in flight and allowing the head to find the path of least resistance through an animal.
Its conductive microfibers provide the path of least resistance to the motor frame and works with virtually no friction or wear.
We've spent a lot of time advocating against trying to turn back to the airport and, instead, picking the path of least resistance ahead of you.
You must resist the siren song of the path of least resistance and discipline yourself to do what is hard and necessary to achieve the goals that are truly possible for you." Outwork anyone, and chances are good you'll succeed.
Make sure the strap maintains the path of least resistance by running it around or under obstacles and not over them.
Attics and basements are almost always a path of least resistance. Keep in mind that if the exterior walls of your home contain a row of horizontal blocking midway, you may need to drill two holes--one above and the other down low to blow insulation into the entire stud cavity.
At lower frequencies, this means the path of least resistance and at high frequencies, this means the path of least inductance.
Conductive microfibers in the ring provide the path of least resistance, allowing these shaft currents to discharge safely to the motor frame.
Grossman's incisive investigation uncovers a trail of e-waste that meanders around the globe following an "economic path of least resistance," featuring inconvenient (or non-existent) collection channels, unregulated bulk exporting and hazardous "no-tech" recycling methods in developing countries.
PEOPLE HAVE HOUSES AND FAMILIES AND LIVES THEY WANT TO PROTECT AND BEING HUMAN, SOMETIMES THEY CHOOSE THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE ...
The growth of the tumor follows the path of least resistance. Involvement of the ossicles causes a conductive hearing loss.