Sophie's choice

English

Etymology

From the title of the book Sophie's Choice, by William Styron, in which a mother is forced to decide which of her children will die.

Noun

Sophie's choice ‎(plural Sophie's choices)

1. A choice between two or more alternatives, all of which have significant negative consequences.
   • 2004 March 17, Bradley Graham, “Simulated Attacks Repelled In Antimissile War Game; U.S. Almost Exhausted Arsenal of Interceptors”, in Washington Post, page A03:

     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 2, “Committees OK boost for KidCare; Panels vote for additional $25M”, in Tallahassee Democrat^[1]:

     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.'

See also

• Hobson's choice