spoiled for choice

USAGE SUMMARY

"Spoiled for choice" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a situation where someone has too many options to choose from, and although it is a good problem to have, it can make the decision process difficult. For example: "I had so many restaurants to choose from that I was spoiled for choice!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Locals are spoiled for choice.

The Economist

MetLife is spoiled for choice.

The New York Times

Now, we are spoiled for choice".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"But we are spoiled for choice.

The Guardian

He's not spoiled for choice; he's spoiled by it.

The New Yorker

Certainly, most BPO firms claim they are spoiled for choice.

The Economist

Anyone seeking something lavish and illustrated is spoiled for choice.

Independent

As for the men, well, again, spoiled for choice.

The Guardian - Film

It's not as if he wasn't spoiled for choice.

The Guardian

You're spoiled for choice on a Friday night.

The Guardian - Travel

For the rest, well, I'm spoiled for choice, really.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spoiled for choice" when you want to express that someone is in a fortunate situation of having many good options, but may find it difficult to make a decision because of this abundance. For example, "The menu was so extensive, we were truly "spoiled for choice".

Common error

Avoid using "spoiled for choice" to describe situations that are primarily negative. While it can imply difficulty in deciding, the phrase generally carries a positive connotation of abundance. If the situation is truly problematic due to excessive options, consider phrases like "paralyzed by choice" or "overwhelmed by options" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spoiled for choice" functions as an adjective phrase that describes a situation or state. It typically modifies a noun (often implied) to indicate that someone or something has a wide range of attractive options available. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spoiled for choice" is a grammatically sound and widely used idiom that describes a situation where someone has an abundance of good options, making it difficult to decide. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral to informal register. While it signifies a positive scenario, it's important to avoid using it in contexts with primarily negative connotations. Alternatives like "abundance of options" or "embarrassment of riches" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Understanding the context and intended connotation is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spoiled with options

Changes the structure to focus on the state of being spoiled.

abundance of options

Focuses on the plentiful supply of choices available.

embarrassment of riches

Emphasizes the positive, almost overwhelming nature of having so many good choices.

wealth of alternatives

Highlights the variety and richness of the available options.

a wide array of options

Emphasizes the diverse and extensive nature of the choices.

many options available

A more straightforward way of stating that there are numerous choices.

a plethora of choices

Uses "plethora" to indicate a large or excessive amount of options.

overwhelmed with choices

Highlights the feeling of being overwhelmed by the number of options.

numerous possibilities

Focuses on the potential outcomes or opportunities available.

a sea of possibilities

Creates a visual metaphor of endless choices.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "spoiled for choice"?

Being "spoiled for choice" means having so many attractive options available that it becomes difficult to make a decision. It implies a positive situation where the problem is not a lack of choices, but an abundance of them.

What can I say instead of "spoiled for choice"?

You can use alternatives like "abundance of options", "embarrassment of riches", or "spoiled with options" depending on the context.

How do I use "spoiled for choice" in a sentence?

You can say something like: "The restaurant had such a diverse menu that we were "spoiled for choice"", or "With so many streaming services available, viewers are truly "spoiled for choice"."

Is "spoiled for choice" an idiom?

Yes, "spoiled for choice" is an idiom that describes a situation where there are too many good options available, making it difficult to choose.