secure a decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secure a decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of obtaining or finalizing a decision, often in a formal or business context. Example: "After several meetings, we were finally able to secure a decision from the board regarding the new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It was almost as if Kessler felt he had to get a knockout to secure a decision on foreign soil.

Independent

As part of an effort to push the India deal as quickly as possible through Congress, America's secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, vowed to give "highest priority" to the effort to secure a decision at this month's NSG meeting.

The Economist

For instance, there was no damning e-mail by analysts of the kind that got Merrill Lynch and a star analyst, Henry Blodget, into hot water for hyping internet shares to the public while saying something different internally.Might politics have helped secure a decision for the home side?

The Economist

Now that the matter is being put before the courts, Florida authorities should make every effort to use this period to try to secure a decision as to whether state law really was violated by the ballot confusion in Palm Beach County.

The New York Times

But now all eyes are on the copper chimney of the Sistine Chapel, from which the release of black smoke signals that the 115 cardinals voting to choose the new pope have not yet reached the two-thirds majority needed to secure a decision.

BBC

Henry now had no choice but to put his great matter into Wolsey's hands, who did all he could to secure a decision in Henry's favour, even going so far as to convene an ecclesiastical court in England, with a special emissary, Lorenzo Campeggio from the Pope himself to decide the matter.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

To prevent parliament from passing laws against his interests, Maliki secured a decision from the Iraqi High Court that gave him the exclusive right to draft legislation.

The New Yorker

As the committee's membership has a six-to-five Conservative majority, support from the government is seen as essential to securing a decision by members to pursue an inquiry.

The Guardian

Foliot's delegation met with more success at the papal court; although they did not succeed in securing a decision in the king's favour, neither did the pope side with the archbishop.

Wikipedia

Although the protection of the registered trade mark for the beloved cube's shape was maintained by the EU IPO and the General Court of the EU, on appeal Simba Toys secured a decision in their favour from the EU's highest court, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

Huffington Post

Ali and Shavers fought ferociously enough to pick off separate rounds, yet in the 15th Ali did enough to secure a unanimous decision.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal correspondence, use "secure a decision" when you want to emphasize the process involved in obtaining a resolution, rather than just the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "secure a decision" when you simply mean to protect a decision already made. "Secure" in this context means 'to obtain', not 'to make safe'. For protecting a decision, consider phrases like "safeguard the decision" or "preserve the decision".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secure a decision" functions as a verb phrase, where "secure" acts as a transitive verb meaning to obtain or achieve something, and "a decision" is the direct object. It describes the action of successfully getting a decision from an authority or group, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "secure a decision" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that refers to the act of successfully obtaining a resolution or judgment, as supported by Ludwig. While not exceedingly common, it appears primarily in news, wiki and formal business contexts. Remember that "secure" in this context means 'to obtain', not 'to protect'. Consider alternatives like "obtain a decision" or "get a decision" based on the level of formality desired. By understanding its appropriate usage and common misinterpretations, you can confidently use "secure a decision" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtain a decision

Focuses on the act of getting a decision.

get a decision

A more informal way of saying "obtain a decision".

ensure a decision

Emphasizes making certain that a decision is made.

procure a decision

Implies a more formal or official process of obtaining a decision.

guarantee a decision

Similar to 'ensure', but with a stronger sense of certainty.

elicit a decision

Suggests drawing out a decision from someone who might be hesitant.

win a decision

Implies achieving a favorable decision, often in a competitive context.

facilitate a decision

Focuses on making it easier for a decision to be reached.

affirm a decision

Focuses on validating or confirming an existing decision.

influence a decision

Highlights the act of swaying the decision-making process.

FAQs

How can I use "secure a decision" in a sentence?

You can use "secure a decision" to describe the act of successfully obtaining a formal agreement or resolution, such as "The lawyer worked diligently to "secure a decision" from the judge".

What are some alternatives to "secure a decision"?

Alternatives include "obtain a decision", "get a decision", or "procure a decision". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "secure a decision" or "make a decision"?

"Make a decision" refers to the act of deciding, while "secure a decision" implies successfully obtaining or finalizing a decision from someone else or a group. They are not interchangeable.

What does "secure" mean in the context of "secure a decision"?

In this context, "secure" means to successfully obtain or achieve something, particularly through effort or persistence. It doesn't refer to making something safe or protected, but rather to successfully getting a decision.