decide/choose

Từ điển Oxford Learners Wordfinder Dictionary

1 deciding
2 choosing
3 thinking before you decide or choose sth
4 changing or not changing a decision
5 good or bad at deciding
choosing sb in an election ELECTION

1 deciding
- to think about two or more things and choose one of them: decide sth, decide on/against sb/sth, decide to do sth
Have you decided what you're going to do? ◎ The committee are taking a long time to decide on the matter. ◎ Eventually we decided against buying that particular house. ◎ I've decided not to take that job.
- what you have decided: decision (on sth/to do sth)
I'm afraid our decision is final. ◎ I've made a decision to sell the house.
- to decide sth (and be determined not to change your mind): make* up your mind (to do sth), resolve to do sth
I've made up my mind to work harder.
- to decide on a date, price, etc: set* sth, fix sth
Linda and John have set a date for their wedding. ◎ 'How much will it be?' 'I don't know; we haven't fixed a price yet.'
- to come to a decision after a lot of discussion or thought: arrive at a decision, reach a decision, come* to a decision
We finally reached a decision about where to go on holiday.
- a belief or an opinion that you reach after thinking about sth for a long time: conclusion
- to arrive at a particular conclusion: come* to the conclusion that ※€¦
The conclusion we came to was that the school should be closed.

2 choosing
- to decide what you want from a number of possible things: choose* (between A and B), choose* sb/sth (as sth); the act of choosing: choice
I had to choose between my family and my work. ◎ 'Which film shall we go and see?' 'I don't mind - you choose.' ◎ John has been chosen as spokesman for the group. ◎ He faced a difficult choice. ◎ to make the right/wrong choice
- to choose sb/sth from a group: pick sb/sth (out), (formal) select sb/sth (as sth); the act of selecting: selection (noun U)
I was surprised when they picked me for the job. ◎ The best candidates will be selected for interview. ◎ the selection of the football team
- the right or chance to choose: choice (noun U), option (noun U)
We had to sell - we had no choice. ◎ 'We're asking you to resign.' 'Do I have any option?'
- if you can choose to do or not to do sth, it is optional; opposite: obligatory
The school offers some optional courses.
- careful in choosing: (informal) choosy
She's very choosy about what she eats.
- carefully chosen: hand-picked
These men have been hand-picked for the job.
- chosen by chance: random (adverb randomly)
a random selection of songs ◎ randomly selected numbers
※—† different possibilities to choose between
- two or more things that you can choose from: choice
There's a good choice of food on the menu.
- one of two things that you can choose between: alternative; adjective: alternative (only before a noun) (adverb alternatively)
If hotels are too expensive, youth hostels are a cheaper alternative. ◎ alternative arrangements ◎ Alternatively, you can go by bus.
- a thing that you can choose: option
Helen looked carefully at all the options before deciding on a career.
- if you like one person or thing more than another, you prefer sb/sth (to sb/sth)
I don't know which one I prefer - I can't choose!
- to prefer to do sth: choose* to do sth
If you choose to ignore my advice, don't blame me if things turn out badly.
※ more on preferring sb/sth PREFER
- a person or thing that has been chosen: choice
I admire your choice.
- a number of people or things that have been chosen: selection
He sang a selection of his best-known songs.

3 thinking before you decide or choose sth
- to think carefully about sth in order to make a decision: consider sth, weigh sth up
- to think carefully before deciding to do sth: think* sth over
- something that you need to decide about: question, problem
Tom's resignation raises the question of who will take over from him. ◎ The problem is urgent and we need to reach a decision soon.
- the reasons for and against doing sth: pros and cons
You should consider all the pros and cons before you make a decision.
- having considered all the facts and views: on balance
On balance, I think you've made a wise decision.
※ problems PROBLEM
- to be willing to listen to or consider new ideas or suggestions: have/keep* an open mind
The police are keeping an open mind about the latest death.
- not to be sure about what you should do: have mixed feelings (about sb/sth)
Julie had mixed feelings about leaving school.
- if you want time to think about what sb has asked you before you give your answer, you say I'll seeWe'll see
'Can we go to London for Easter, Daddy?' 'I'll see.'
- if it is your responsibility to decide sth, it is up to you
It's up to you to decide what to do.
- if you have not yet made a decision about sth, you are undecided
We are still undecided about where to go on holiday.

4 changing or not changing a decision
- to change your decision: change your mind (about sb/sth)
Have you changed your mind about going to see him?
- doubts about a decision you have made: second thoughts
I think he must be having second thoughts.
- to decide not to do sth that you had promised to do: back out (of sth)
You can't back out of it now!
- to continue to support a decision: stand* by a decision, stick* to a decision
He stood by his decision not to go.
- if decisions are not changed, they stand*
Does your decision still stand?

5 good or bad at deciding
- if you are good at making clear decisions quickly, you are decisive (adverb decisively); opposite: indecisive (adverb indecisively)
a decisive leader ◎ to act decisively ◎ His enemies accused him of being indecisive.
- if you firmly decide to do sth, even if it is difficult or people are against you, you are determined (to do sth); noun (U): determination
She showed great determination to succeed in the job.
- decisive and determined: strong-willed
You need to be strong-willed if you want to succeed in politics.
※—† MORE ...
- a situation in which you have to make a difficult choice between two or more things: dilemma
She was in a dilemma whether to report the matter or keep quiet.
- to find it difficult to choose between two things: (informal) be torn between A and B
I'm torn between the blue dress and the green skirt.
- to delay making a decision: keep*/leave* your options open
You should leave your options open until you have more information.
- to delay making a decision until the following day: sleep* on sth
Okay, let's sleep on it and decide in the morning.
- to be unwilling to decide between two things: sit* on the fence
You can't sit on the fence for ever - you'll have to make up your mind soon.
- the standard that you use when you make a decision: criterion (plural criteria)
What are the criteria for deciding whether somebody should be promoted?