Sophie's choice

From the title of the book Sophie's Choice (1979), by William Styron, in which a mother is forced to decide which of her children will die.

Sophie's choice (plural Sophie's choices)

1. A choice where every alternative has significant negative consequences.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:dilemma, Thesaurus:difficult situation

   • 2004 March 17, Bradley Graham, “Simulated Attacks Repelled In Antimissile War Game; U.S. Almost Exhausted Arsenal of Interceptors”, in Washington Post, page A03:

     As things turned out, all the enemy missiles were destroyed in flight -- two were hit very early after launch by an airborne laser system -- and a Sophie's choice was averted."

   • 2004 March 2, “Committees OK boost for KidCare; Panels vote for additional $25M”, in Tallahassee Democrat‎:

     We've been given a Sophie's Choice,' said Senate Minority Leader Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton. 'We can improperly care for some children vs. improperly care for other children.'

• Hobson's choice