student asking question

What does it mean that "something is not an option"? Is it common expression?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Great question! Saying "(something) is not an option" is a way of expressing and emphasising that that thing is not acceptable or applicable in your current situation. This is a common idiom and the most common thing you will probably hear is the phrase, "Failure is not an option", meaning that success is the only acceptable outcome. Ex: I have twin two-year-olds, so flying is not an option. Ex: I don't have any savings, so university is not an option. Ex: Telling him the truth is not an option.

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