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Lesser of two evils Meaning in English

expression

LESS-er uhv TOO EE-vuhlz
LESS-uh ov TOO EE-vuhlz

Definition

When you must choose between two bad options, the one that is not as bad as the other is called the 'lesser of two evils.'

Usage & Nuances

This phrase is used in difficult situations where no good options are available. Commonly used in politics, ethics, and daily decision-making. Usually appears as 'choose the lesser of two evils.' It does not mean the choice is good, only less bad.

Spanish: el mal menorPortuguese (BR): o menor dos malesPortuguese (PT): o menor dos malesChinese (Simplified): 两害相权取其轻Chinese (Traditional): 兩害相權取其輕Hindi: दो बुराइयों में से छोटीArabic: أهون الشرّينBengali: দুই খারাপের মধ্যে কম খারাপটি - দুই অশুভের মধ্যে কম অশুভটিRussian: меньшее из двух золJapanese: 二つの悪のうちよりましな方Vietnamese: chuyện ít xấu hơn trong hai cái xấu - điều ác ít hơn trong hai cái ácKorean: 두 악 중 덜 나쁜 것Turkish: iki kötülükten daha az kötü olanıUrdu: دو برائیوں میں سے کم برائیIndonesian: yang lebih ringan dari dua keburukan

Example Sentences

Sometimes you have to pick the lesser of two evils.

basic

Voting for this candidate was the lesser of two evils.

basic

Eating junk food was the lesser of two evils when I forgot my lunch.

basic

I don't like either job offer, but I chose the lesser of two evils.

natural

Choosing the lesser of two evils doesn't mean you're happy with your choice.

natural

When faced with two bad options, all you can do is go for the lesser of two evils.

natural