Making decisions is a crucial part of daily life. Understanding idioms and phrasal verbs involving “decisions” can enhance your communication skills. Here are 20 useful expressions with “decisions” that will help you convey your thoughts more effectively.
1. Call the Shots
Meaning: Make the decisions.
Example: She always calls the shots at work.
2. Make Up One’s Mind
Meaning: Decide on something.
Example: He finally made up his mind.
3. On the Fence
Meaning: Undecided.
Example: I’m still on the fence about it.
4. Bite the Bullet
Meaning: Decide to do something difficult.
Example: She bit the bullet and moved away.
5. At a Crossroads
Meaning: Facing a crucial decision.
Example: He’s at a crossroads in his career.
6. Snap Decision
Meaning: Quick decision.
Example: She made a snap decision to leave.
7. Take the Plunge
Meaning: Commit to a decision.
Example: They took the plunge and got married.
8. Sit on the Fence
Meaning: Avoid making a decision.
Example: He sits on the fence too often.
9. In Two Minds
Meaning: Unsure about a decision.
Example: She’s in two minds about moving.
10. Weigh the Pros and Cons
Meaning: Consider advantages and disadvantages.
Example: He weighed the pros and cons before deciding.
11. Jump to Conclusions
Meaning: Decide without enough information.
Example: Don’t jump to conclusions so quickly.
12. Call it a Day
Meaning: Decide to stop working.
Example: They called it a day at 6 PM.
13. Cross the Rubicon
Meaning: Make an irreversible decision.
Example: She crossed the Rubicon with that choice.
14. Play It by Ear
Meaning: Decide as you go.
Example: Let’s play it by ear and see.
15. On the Horns of a Dilemma
Meaning: Facing two difficult choices.
Example: He’s on the horns of a dilemma now.
16. Pull the Trigger
Meaning: Make a final decision.
Example: They finally pulled the trigger on the deal.
17. Put One’s Foot Down
Meaning: Make a firm decision.
Example: She put her foot down on the issue.
18. Leave It Up in the Air
Meaning: Delay making a decision.
Example: They left it up in the air for now.
19. Have Second Thoughts
Meaning: Reconsider a decision.
Example: He’s having second thoughts about it.
20. Mull Over
Meaning: Think deeply about a decision.
Example: She mulled over the job offer carefully.