a bitter choice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bitter choice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decision that is difficult to make and comes with negative consequences or feelings. Example: "After much deliberation, she realized that accepting the job offer meant leaving her hometown, a bitter choice she had to make for her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Like millions of others, she faces a bitter choice.

Independent

The existence of murderous opposition, Mr. Malloch Brown said, leaves United Nations officials with a bitter choice: increase security markedly and decrease the ease of interaction between United Nations personnel and the Iraqis they are pledged to help, or continue a policy of openness with an unacceptable risk of casualties.

The New York Times

After militants burned down his house outside Damascus in late 2013, Moustafa* faced a bitter choice: "Either join the fight or have your silence taken to mean support for the other side," he says.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Doing nothing is no longer an option, for it leads to three bitter choices in the near future: crippling levels of payroll taxation, significantly reduced benefits for Social Security recipients, or a crushing burden of public debt for generations to come.

The New York Times

"Faustus in Africa!," their 1995 adaptation of the Faust story, resonated with undertones of the bitter choices being made in post-apartheid South Africa.

The New Yorker

" 'Smile, Nola, Smile!' calls on New Yorkers to remember their proven capacity for achievement, the better to prepare for the hard work, the bitter choices, the probably unequal sacrifices that lie ahead".

The New York Times

In a bitter defense of his choice of words published last week in the daily Die Welt, he complained that "no reproach from the well-known arsenal of political correctness in this country has been spared".

The New York Times

What's left is a stark, bitter, ugly choice: the current system, in all its ugliness and stupidity, thrashing around as it dies, or the void.

Vice

To make matters even worse, a bitter deadlock persists over the choice of a new president, who is supposed to be elected by parliament.The only morsel of comfort for Mr Braghis was a decision last week by the IMF to approve a loan to Moldova of $142m.

The Economist

The Asian crisis was a bitter, very recent memory, and choice No. 2 was big, safe and Dutch Phillips.

Forbes

While each has a core of strong supporters -- each got about a quarter of the vote in the first round voting among 13 candidates last month -- others saw the choice as a bitter one.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bitter choice", ensure the context clearly conveys the negative aspects and difficult emotions associated with the decision. Provide enough information for the reader to understand why the choice is considered 'bitter'.

Common error

Avoid using "a bitter choice" when the decision is merely difficult or complex, but lacks significant negative consequences or emotional weight. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "a difficult decision" or "a tough choice" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

Adjective phrase modifying a noun. The phrase "a bitter choice" functions as a noun phrase where 'bitter' describes the quality of the 'choice'. Ludwig AI states that this phrase is correct in written English. It's primarily used to highlight the negative and unpleasant aspects of a decision.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bitter choice" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a decision laden with negative consequences and emotional difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While not exceedingly common, its appropriate usage adds depth to the description of difficult situations, predominantly in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the context justifies the strong negative connotation, differentiating it from merely "a difficult decision". Alternatives include "an unpleasant dilemma" or "a tough decision", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to consider the overall tone and avoid overuse in neutral contexts. "A bitter choice" is most effective when highlighting the significant emotional burden and undesirable outcomes associated with the decision-making process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult decision

Emphasizes the difficulty of the decision, focusing less on the negative emotions.

a tough decision

Similar to 'a difficult decision', but conveys a sense of resilience needed to make the decision.

an unpleasant dilemma

Highlights the undesirable nature of the situation forcing the decision.

a painful predicament

Emphasizes the distress caused by the situation requiring a choice.

an unenviable option

Focuses on the undesirability of the available choices.

a regrettable necessity

Highlights the unfortunate but unavoidable nature of the choice.

a hard bargain

Implies a compromise with unfavorable conditions on both sides, not strictly related to decision-making.

a lose-lose situation

Implies that no matter what choice is made, the outcome will be negative.

a no-win scenario

Suggests an outcome where success is impossible, regardless of the decision made.

a Hobson's choice

Describes a situation where only one option is genuinely offered, despite the appearance of alternatives.

FAQs

What does "a bitter choice" mean?

The phrase "a bitter choice" refers to a decision that is unpleasant and difficult to make, often because all available options have negative consequences or are emotionally taxing.

How can I use "a bitter choice" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe situations where someone faces a difficult decision with undesirable outcomes. For example, "Leaving her family behind was "a bitter choice" she had to make for her career."

What are some alternatives to "a bitter choice"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a difficult decision", "a tough decision", or "an unpleasant dilemma".

Is "a bitter choice" a common expression?

While grammatically correct, "a bitter choice" is not as frequently used as other similar phrases like "a difficult decision". It is important to ensure the context warrants the strong negative connotation associated with the word 'bitter'.