out of expediency

USAGE SUMMARY

"out of expediency" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a decision or action made in order to achieve a desired end quickly and with minimal effort. For example, "The mayor decided to postpone the vote out of expediency, allowing more time for debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It was totally out of expediency.

The Guardian

He's speaking out of expediency and she's speaking out of conviction".

The Guardian - Opinion

It hasn't been a decision made out of expediency or because polling said so, or because a shining orange figure visited Steve Hilton in a dream one night.

The Guardian - Opinion

Following a test performance at the Theaters at 45 Bleecker Street, Mr. Seinfeld invested as a producer for a two-month run there and also offered to direct the show, mostly out of expediency.

The New York Times

These days, people often describe Romney as an old-fashioned "Rockefeller Republican" — moderate on social issues, internationalist on foreign policy, and pro-Wall Street — who is pretending to be more conservative out of expediency.

The New Yorker

This is not something I am proud of, but it's something I have done out of expediency, because I have seen, a million times, how saying something idealistic is used to attack your fundamental standing, credibility and status.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The worst part is that there's really no excuse for this: the Windows Phone and Instagram official line is that some features were left out in the interest of expediency, but leaving out some features and taking away the very soul of what makes Instagram Instagram is totally crazy pants, and inexcusable.

TechCrunch

There are necessary secrets; it is always the case, in a functioning democracy, that the government also tries to declare unnecessary ones, out of embarrassment or expediency, and that the press tries to keep it from doing so.

The New Yorker

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet There are necessary secrets; it is always the case, in a functioning democracy, that the government also tries to declare unnecessary ones, out of embarrassment or expediency, and that the press tries to keep it from doing so.

The New Yorker

Sacrificing intelligence operatives out of political expediency is a bipartisan sport.

The New York Times

New Labour became the party of big business out of electoral expediency.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of expediency" when you want to convey that a decision was made primarily for convenience or to achieve a short-term goal, possibly at the expense of principle or long-term planning.

Common error

Avoid using "out of expediency" when the action is genuinely driven by ethical considerations or strategic long-term planning. Using it in such cases may inaccurately suggest a lack of integrity or foresight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of expediency" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to explain the reason or motivation behind an action. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is considered grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of expediency" is a useful tool for expressing that a decision or action was taken primarily for convenience or efficiency, often implying a potential compromise of other factors. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and found mainly in news and media contexts. While similar phrases like "for the sake of convenience" or "as a matter of practicality" exist, "out of expediency" suggests a specific focus on achieving a desired outcome with minimal effort, sometimes at the expense of principle. When using it, be mindful of the connotations, as it can imply a less-than-ideal motivation behind the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the sake of convenience

Emphasizes ease and lack of difficulty as the primary motivation.

as a matter of practicality

Highlights the practical benefits and feasibility of the action.

for pragmatic reasons

Focuses on achieving a desired outcome through practical means.

to serve a purpose

Indicates the action is taken to fulfill a specific goal or aim.

for the sake of efficiency

Stresses the importance of minimizing wasted time and resources.

as a quick fix

Implies a temporary or immediate solution is prioritized.

for self-serving reasons

Highlights the personal benefits gained from the action.

to cut corners

Suggests a compromise on quality or standards to save time or money.

as an easy way out

Implies the action is taken to avoid a more difficult or complex solution.

to suit one's own agenda

Focuses on pursuing personal goals or objectives.

FAQs

How to use "out of expediency" in a sentence?

Use "out of expediency" to indicate that an action was primarily motivated by convenience or efficiency, rather than principle or long-term planning. For example, "The committee approved the proposal "out of expediency", despite concerns about its long-term effects."

What can I say instead of "out of expediency"?

You can use alternatives like "for the sake of convenience", "as a matter of practicality", or "for pragmatic reasons" depending on the specific context. Each carries a slightly different nuance while conveying a similar idea.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "out of expediency"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that a decision was driven by practicality or a need for a quick solution, often implying a compromise of ideals or thoroughness.

What's the difference between "out of expediency" and "out of necessity"?

"Out of expediency" suggests convenience or efficiency as the primary driver, while "out of necessity" implies that there was no other viable option. Necessity suggests a lack of choice, whereas expediency suggests a choice was made for ease or speed.