soft 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 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.

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
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a soft option
  • the soft option
  • the soft/easy option
  • take the easy way out
  • be in a spot of bother
  • the easy way out
  • have a spot of bother
  • not be all beer and skittles
  • be (not) all beer and skittles
  • tomorrow is another day
References in periodicals archive
Soft Option is also developing a monitoring and profiling tool for the kit to allow integrators to identify performance issues with newly-built web-enablement applications.
Soft Option introduces toolkit for migration of legacy
This would not be a soft option. He would continue to heal in harsh conditions far from his family.
Better use for abusing surgeon
POLICE cautions are set to be replaced with a two-tier system that the Government said removed the "soft option".
PAYBACK REPLACES A POLICE CAUTION
But Assistant Chief Constable Sean White says it is not a "soft option".
How police made boy, 12, say sorry
"We W want vocational training to be just as attractive an option to academic as to nonacademic students - it should not be seen as a soft option."
Work skills on way out of our schools; Concern over vocational courses
"The two-and-a-half-miler is the soft option, but we won't make any decisions until we have a better idea of what the ground is going to be like.
Down Royal target for Quito still undecided
The warning sounded by MP Margot Jones that schools are putting students in for soft option exams to boost their league table positions is echoed by many on the right and left of the political spectrum.
Cash crunch at heart of Academic competition; viewpoint
PC Colin Barlow, from the unit, said: "Football banning orders are not a soft option and we will take decisive action against those who breech their conditions."
Football ban man arrested in dawn raid
We have no real deterrent anymore, prison being a soft option.
City of shame; letters
Changes will follow, possibly with allowances plucked away from the soft option of self-regulation and deposited in an independent and more rigorous checking system.
Gravy train is reaching end of line
The recipes include everything from the soft option of the Victorian Jigger, which combines Fentimans Victorian Lemonade with the Mandarin & Seville Orange Jigger, to more sophisticated combinations such as a Moscow Mule with Ginger Beer or a Dark & Curious, made with dark rum and Curiosity Cola.
FOOD: NORTH East soft drinks manufacturer; QUICK BITES
"I felt relieved that I didn't go to jail but this is not a soft option. I have got to get up and do the work on my days off.
IT'S NO SOFT OPTION
Mr Straw said community punishments should not be viewed as a "soft option" as Liverpool, like New York, could not be described as a "soft" city.
Straw praises trail-blazing justice centre; 10 now follow Mersey court
Controlled Parking Zones are an ill- advised attempt to raise revenue through indirect taxation on a soft option, the car user.
ViewpointsParking zones are ill advised
Britain will continue to be a soft touch for immigrants as long as places like the Channel Islands remain a soft option for entry.
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE: Act now to plug asylum loophole