path of least resistance
9
3.9
- noun
- Informal
- Meemaw knew lots of stories about people who "took the path of least resistance" and ended up sick or poor.
- follow the path of least resistance
- take the path of least resistance
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Watch on YouTubeIt's just the path of least resistance for each person.
- It's just the path of least resistance for each person.
- Your mind will always choose the path of least resistance.
- Well, it's hard and our default position is to take the path of least resistance about what is easy, you know.
- And sometimes the path of least resistance is a great path and it works and everything's going well.
- So rather the path of least resistance, unfortunately, can be social isolation and and more screen time.
- And if you follow the path of least resistance, you'll find that you're optimizing for short periods of time.
- And I think it's critical that people realize that growth is always going to come with some discomfort, and that's where the path of least resistance comes in.
- I think it's always the case, or most often the case that there are that the path of least resistance is to embrace and act in accordance with societal convention.
Examples
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He decided to follow the path of least resistance and avoid conflict during the discussion.
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Like rivers, they meander because that is the path of least resistance.
Fiction book (1999) -
It's just the path of least resistance for each person.
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How much I like the path of least resistance.
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I think that faith is the path of least resistance.
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Well, sometimes it"s easier to take the path of least resistance.
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You know the path of least resistance?
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A bull market begins, and the path of least resistance is higher.
Blog text (30) -
Most people take the path of least resistance and go with the herd.
Blog text (21) -
Friendships can be hard, and the path of least resistance is so easy to follow.
Blog text (11)
Synonyms
1
4.4
An easy choice that avoids trouble or argument
1
3.8
An easier choice people make to avoid hard work or trouble
How Easy
117
1.6
- Informal
9
3.9
35
2.7
199
4.2
- Informal
102
5.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
path + of + least + resistance
The phrase literally combines 'path' (route) with 'least' (smallest amount) and 'resistance' (opposition), so a learner can infer it means the route with the least opposition — i.e., the easiest option. This metaphorical mapping is common across many languages (e.g. French, Spanish, Portuguese) and follows a straightforward compositional logic accessible to a B1 learner who knows the constituents.
Etymology
Path of least resistance comes from a simple picture: imagine water flowing and taking the easiest path around rocks, where it meets the least resistance. That's why the phrase means 'the easiest way' or choosing to avoid trouble.