either-or decision
nounUK /ˈaɪðər ɔː dɪˈsɪʒən/
US /ˈiːðər ɔːr dɪˈsɪʒən/
A choice where you must pick one thing and cannot have both.
Choosing between pizza and burgers for dinner was an either-or decision.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A situation where only two opposite options are allowed.
The rule was an either-or decision: walk or take the bus, no in-between.
3. A decision that rules out any middle option.
For the school trip it was an either-or decision—either bring a packed lunch or buy one there.
4. A choice between two things that cannot be combined.
Picking a movie was an either-or decision since we only had time for one.