the 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.

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
  • 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
NEWCASTLE owner Mike Ashley has accused former manager Rafael Benitez of "taking the soft option" in moving to China.
Rafa took easy way with China move - Ashley
Now we have the Government/BBC removing this concession and taking what looks like the soft option, because they can't afford it.
MPs...remember we will vote
"Race two was all about trying to get into the reverse grid draw as we had the soft option tyre to run in the final.
Lloyd happy with points after finale
Neil Matheson said: "He took the soft option - he's certainly no leader.
@dailyrecord
The Justice Secretary said: "Under the new system we are introducing, offenders will face prosecution if they fail to comply with the conditions set by the police, so that no-one is allowed to get away with the soft option."
Cautions scrapped in system revamp
Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said: "Offenders will face prosecu-tion if they fail to comply with conditions set by the police, so no one is allowed to get away with the soft option."
PAYBACK REPLACES A POLICE CAUTION
"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
Germany, where the car is king, or the United Kingdom, seen as the soft option. We think we all know the answer to that..
Motor workers fear Italian job; DAILY YOUR VOICE IN WALES
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
However, church leaders in the main remain silent against the current 'Christianaphobia', or engage in 'social religion' - the soft option.
Letter: AGENDA - Campaign against the Christian faith
it's cold and miserable and probably the gloomiest month of the year - which means that some anglers are taking the soft option by staying wrapped inside a warm quilt.
Tony curnow
On Page 13 a burglar, with what the judge described as a disgraceful record, admits breaking into a house, where a mother and daughter are sleeping, steals a handbag and is given an 18-month supervision order, but it's OK the judge told him 'this is not the soft option'.
ViewpointsHow can this be justice?
But the plan was rejected because UEFA didn't want to give hard-up clubs the soft option of going out of Europe at a profit.
WE'LL MAKE NOWT IF WE CRASH OUT
I'm sure that many in favour of the soft option promised to us by the Welsh Government, will now oppose the principle of this Bill and make sure they sign up to opt out.
Stem cell research; COMMENT DEBATE & YOUR LETTERS TO THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OF WALES