1. (Give Someone) Carte Blanche
2. All Things Being Equal
3. Up for Grabs
4. On the Bubble
5. All Told
6. All Things Considered
7. Up in the Air
8. Raise Red Flags
9. Rubber-Stamp (v.)
10. Take It or Leave It (command)
11. Out of the Loop
12. On the Same Page
13. Flip-Flop (v. or n.)
14. Fish or Cut Bait (usually an exclamation)

Phrases & Idioms for Making Decisions with Meaning & Examples

(Give Someone) Carte Blanche

• Meaning: Allow someone complete freedom; entrust a decision to someone.
• Example: We gave the new project manager carte blanche to make any changes necessary to improve the team’s productivity.

All Things Being Equal

• Meaning: Assuming everything is the same.
• Example: All things being equal, we should choose the option that costs less.

Up for Grabs

• Meaning: Available to be taken or chosen.
• Example: The promotion is up for grabs, so we should all apply for it.

On the Bubble

• Meaning: Uncertain or undecided.
• Example: The outcome of the election is still on the bubble, with both candidates having a chance to win.

All Told

• Meaning: Considering everything.
• Example: All told, we spent over $10,000 on our vacation.

All Things Considered

• Meaning: Taking everything into account.
• Example:  All things considered, we decided to cancel the project due to budget constraints.

Up in the Air

• Meaning: Uncertain or undecided.
• Example: The future of the company is up in the air, with rumors of a merger circulating.

Raise Red Flags

• Meaning: To signal a potential problem or issue.
• Example: The lack of communication from the team leader raised red flags about the project’s progress.

Rubber-Stamp (v.)

• Meaning: To approve or authorize without much thought.
• Example: The manager rubber-stamped the proposal without reviewing it thoroughly.

Take It or Leave It (command)

• Meaning: Accept the offer as is or decline it.
• Example: The seller said, “This is my final offer. Take it or leave it.”

Out of the Loop

• Meaning: Not informed or included in the decision-making process.
• Example: The new employee felt out of the loop because he wasn’t invited to the team meeting.

On the Same Page

• Meaning: In agreement or understanding.
• Example: We need to get everyone on the same page before we can move forward with the project.

Hobson’s Choice

• Meaning: A choice among bad options.
• Example: The restaurant only had one dish left, so it was Hobson’s choice between that or nothing.

Flip-Flop (v. or n.)

• Meaning: To vacillate between two choices, to be indecisive.
• Example: The politician’s flip-flop on the issue made it hard to trust him.

Fish or Cut Bait (usually an exclamation)

• Meaning: To make a decision and take action.
• Example: The boss said, “It’s time to fish or cut bait. We need to decide whether to expand the business or not.”