according to one’s (own) lights
Meaning: according to the way one believes; according to the way one’s conscience or inclinations lead one.
Example: “People must act on this matter according to their own lights.”
Focused Idiom Category
Decision and Risk Idioms
Decision and risk idioms describe choices, uncertainty, commitment, opportunity, caution, and the consequences of taking action. They are common in business discussions, personal advice, sports commentary, and everyday situations where someone must choose a direction or accept a possible loss. This category is deliberately selective: an idiom appears here only when deciding, committing, doubting, planning, or taking a chance is its central meaning. Each item provides a concise explanation and a realistic example sentence for closer study without requiring a separate article. The A–Z navigation helps readers locate expressions quickly, while related categories point to business, success, and difficulty idioms when the context moves beyond the decision itself. Learners can use this collection to discuss options more naturally and understand the figurative language often used in recommendations and negotiations.
25Relevant idioms
A
A Idioms
1 entriesB
B Idioms
3 entriesbeg off
Meaning: to ask to be released from something; to refuse an invitation.
Example: “I have an important meeting, so I’ll have to beg off.”
believe it or not
Meaning: to choose to believe something or not.
Example: “Believe it or not, I just got home from work.”
beyond the shadow of a doubt and beyond any shadow of doubt
Meaning: completely without doubt.
Example: “We accepted her story as true beyond the shadow of a doubt.”
C
C Idioms
2 entriescarte blanche
Meaning: complete freedom to act or proceed as one pleases.
Example: “We were given carte blanche to choose the colour scheme.”
change horses in mid-stream
Meaning: to make major changes in an activity which has already begun; to choose someone or something else after it is too late.
Example: “It’s too late to change horses in mid-stream.”
E
E Idioms
2 entrieseleventh-hour decision
Meaning: a decision made at the last possible minute.
Example: “Eleventh-hour decisions are seldom satisfactory.”
enter the lists
Meaning: to begin to take part in a contest or argument.
Example: “He had decided not to stand for Parliament, but entered the lists at the last minute.”
F
F Idioms
1 entriesfight shy of something
Meaning: to avoid something; to keep from doing something.
Example: “She fought shy of borrowing money from her father, but had to in the end.”
H
H Idioms
2 entrieshang in the balance
Meaning: to be in an undecided state; to be between two equal possibilities.
Example: “The prisoner stood before the judge, his life hanging in the balance.”
hard-and-fast rule
Meaning: a strict rule.
Example: “It’s a hard-and-fast rule that you must be home by midnight.”
I
I Idioms
2 entriesin a quandary
Meaning: uncertain about what to do; confused.
Example: “Mary was in a quandary about which college to go to.”
in all probability
Meaning: very likely; almost certainly.
Example: “He’ll be here on time in all probability.”
N
N Idioms
4 entriesnail one’s colours to the mast
Meaning: to commit oneself to a particular course of action or to a particular point of view.
Example: “Fred nailed his colours to the mast by publicly declaring for strike action.”
needs must
Meaning: if it is absolutely necessary for something to be done, then it must be done.
Example: “I don’t want to sell the car, but needs must.”
no holds barred
Meaning: with no restraints.
Example: “I intend to argue it out with Mary, no holds barred.”
no ifs or buts about it
Meaning: absolutely no discussion, dissension, or doubt about something.
Example: “I want you there exactly at eight, no ifs or buts about it.”
P
P Idioms
1 entriespick and choose
Meaning: to choose very carefully from a number of possibilities; to be selective.
Example: “You cannot pick and choose.”
Q
Q Idioms
1 entriesquick on the draw
Meaning: quick to draw a gun and shoot.
Example: “Some of the old cowboys were known to be quick on the draw.”
R
R Idioms
1 entriesriding for a fall
Meaning: risking failure or an accident, usually owing to overconfidence.
Example: “He’s riding for a fall.”
S
S Idioms
1 entriesscrape the bottom of the barrel
Meaning: to select from among the worst; to choose from what is left over.
Example: “You really scraped the bottom of the barrel to get that one.”
U
U Idioms
1 entriesup in the air
Meaning: undecided; uncertain.
Example: “Things were sort of up in the air the last time we talked.”
W
W Idioms
3 entrieswalk a tightrope
Meaning: to be in a situation where one must be very cautious.
Example: “I’ve been walking a tightrope all day trying to please both bosses.”
walk on eggs
Meaning: to be very cautious.
Example: “You really have to walk on eggs.”
want it both ways
Meaning: to want two incompatible advantages at the same time.
Example: “John wants it both ways.”
Helpful Answers
Frequently asked questions
What are decision idioms?
Decision idioms are expressions that describe choosing, committing, reconsidering, planning, doubting, or refusing a course of action.
What makes an idiom risk-related?
Its main meaning involves uncertainty, possible loss, danger, opportunity, or acting without knowing the final outcome.
Are these idioms useful in business?
Yes. They often appear in meetings, negotiations, strategy discussions, project reviews, and conversations about priorities or trade-offs.
Can decision idioms sound too informal?
Some are informal, while others are widely accepted in professional speech. Review the example and audience before using one.
How can I remember them?
Group them by purpose, such as choosing, delaying, committing, or taking a chance, and practise each group in short scenarios.
