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the lesser of two evils

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the lesser of two evils

the less unpleasant of two choices, neither of which are good Sometimes I don't like either of the candidates, so I just try to choose the lesser of the two evils.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form a lesser evil: I don't like her, I just think of her as the lesser evil.

See also: evil, lesser, of, two

the lesser of two evils

  also a lesser evil

the less unpleasant of two choices, neither of which are good I suppose I regard the Democratic candidate as the lesser of two evils.

See also: evil, lesser, of, two