one or the other
idiom
: one of two persons or things but not the other
One or the other of us will have to go.
Examples of one or the other in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In practice, many older investors don't choose one or the other.
—
Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
When weighing one or the other, assess which option will result in you owing the least amount in taxes, while also assessing the legwork involved in switching over from one status to another.
—Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 6 Feb. 2026
Although normally one or the other of those two plays, Flick has benefited from using both in recent games.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Nwosu has a refined ability to present alternating perspectives without tipping the scales on one or the other.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for one or the other
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Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
When weighing one or the other, assess which option will result in you owing the least amount in taxes, while also assessing the legwork involved in switching over from one status to another.
—Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 6 Feb. 2026
Although normally one or the other of those two plays, Flick has benefited from using both in recent games.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Nwosu has a refined ability to present alternating perspectives without tipping the scales on one or the other.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for one or the other
Cite this Entry
“One or the other.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one%20or%20the%20other. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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