Sophie's choice en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
Etymology
From the title of the book Sophie's Choice (1979), by William Styron, in which a mother is forced to decide which of her children will die.
Meanings
-
A choice where every alternative has significant negative consequences.
We've been given a Sophie's Choice,' said Senate Minority Leader Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton. 'We can improperly care for some children vs. improperly care for other children.'
2004 March 2, “Committees OK boost for KidCare; Panels vote for additional $25M”, in Tallahassee Democrat:As things turned out, all the enemy missiles were destroyed in flight -- two were hit very early after launch by an airborne laser system -- and a Sophie's choice was averted."
2004 March 17, Bradley Graham, “Simulated Attacks Repelled In Antimissile War Game; U.S. Almost Exhausted Arsenal of Interceptors”, in Washington Post, page A03:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sophie's choices | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Relateds
Synonyms
situation · cross to bear · trouble · hole · quandary · jam · Hobson's choice · doghouse · quandary · pickle · dilemma · kettle · dilemma · bucket of syrup · cross · plight · predicament · kettle of fish · ordeal · fix · spot of bother · quagmire · ass in a sling · sticky wicket · Sophie's choice · difficulty · pinch · Hobson's choice · Morton's fork · no-win situation · sticky situation · spot · tight spot · Catch-22 · dire straits · calvary · cauldron · bind
Translations (1)
cs Sofiina volba (choice where every alternative has significant negative consequences)