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method of choice

method of choice

1 4.2
The best way to do something when there are several options
  • noun
translation icon : método preferido
  • Despite being the method of choice, the women used condoms only sporadically.
  • become the method of choice

Examples

  • Faceted navigation has become the method of choice for browsing image collections; perhaps the same will be possible with video collections.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Nevertheless, for a number of reasons, regression analysis is becoming the method of choice.

    Academic text (1994)
  • In my own group, the multigrid approach is now the method of choice for studies of large systems.

    Academic text (1999)
  • My goal is to show how such focused, student-centered education can indeed be the method of choice in our schools.

    Academic text (2003)
  • And in this course, the optimization method of choice is least squares.

  • I'm telling you what, this method right here of growing these Peppers is my method of choice from now on.

  • PayPal claims that over half of mobile buyers use the service as their payment method of choice.

    Blog text (13)
  • Thermal desalination has been in use for centuries, and is still the method of choice in many parts of the Middle East.

    Academic text (2004)
  • In the late 1950s, general anesthesia began to supplant local anesthesia as the method of choice for direct laryngoscopy.

    Academic text (2004)
  • For many doctors, surgery remains the method of choice for treating this condition.

Synonyms

best practice
vsmethod of choice
  • Specialized
26 3.1

A proven way of doing something that gives the best results

is a preferred method for a specific goal among available alternatives
best option
vsmethod of choice
22 1.3

A choice that is most suitable among other choices

is specifically a method selected for being most effective
obvious choice
vsmethod of choice
12 1.6

The best option that is easy for everyone to see

is the one picked for proven effectiveness rather than simple logic
preem choice
vsmethod of choice
  • US
9.8

An option most people like best

is chosen because it is the most effective way to achieve the result

Antonyms

69 3.5

A final thing you try when all other options have failed

Surface Forms

Morphology

method + of + choice

The phrase 'method of choice' is directly compositional: 'method' (a way of doing something) is qualified by 'of choice' (the one chosen or preferred), so the overall meaning 'preferred method' follows from the constituents. This construction mirrors common patterns across many languages, so a B1 learner who knows 'method' and 'choice' would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Method of choice may come from the simple image of someone facing many tools and pointing to the one they will use, as if circling the single best option on a list. That picture explains why the phrase means the 'preferred' or 'most effective' way to do something.