Choosing between these two bad options is the greater of two evils.
greater of two evils
idiomThe most harmful or unpleasant of two undesirable alternatives.
We had to choose between cutting staff or reducing salaries, and we chose the greater of two evils by letting people go.
Faced with the collapse of the economy or a painful period of austerity, the government argued that the latter was merely the greater of two evils.
- 01
beast with two backs
Two people united in sexual intercourse in the missionary position.
- 02
eat for two
To be pregnant
- 03
fall between two stools
To fit into neither of two categories and, hence, be neglected or fail.
- 04
feed two birds with one scone
Synonym of kill two birds with one stone.
- 05
for two pins
Readily, with only the slightest encouragement.
- 06
hit two targets with one arrow
Synonym of kill two birds with one stone.
- 07
it takes two to make a quarrel
It takes two or more people to cause a quarrel; one cannot blame an argument entirely on the other side.
- 08
it takes two to tango
Some things need the active cooperation of two parties; blame is to be laid on both parties in a conflict.