either-or
adjectiveUK /ˌaɪðərˈɔː/
US /ˌiːðərˈɔːr/
A choice where you can only pick one of two things.
It's an either-or decision: you can have cake or ice cream, but not both.
SYNONYMS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A situation that forces a choice between two options.
The either-or of staying home or going out made her nervous.
3. In logic, a situation where exactly one of two statements is true.
The puzzle is an either-or: the answer is yes or no.
4. A strict choice with no middle ground.
Life isn't always an either-or; sometimes you can do both.