make a decision

Meaning

This expression means to choose between two or more possibilities after thinking about them. It is used in both everyday life and professional settings when a choice needs to be finalized. The phrase is neutral and can be applied to small choices or major strategic directions.

Examples

• The board of directors will make a decision on the merger tomorrow.

  The board of directors will make a decision on the merger tomorrow.

• It's difficult to make a decision when you don't have all the facts.

  It's difficult to make a decision when you don't have all the facts.

• We need to make a decision about which marketing agency to hire.

  We need to make a decision about which marketing agency to hire.

• He took his time to make a decision, weighing all the pros and cons.

  He took his time to make a decision, weighing all the pros and cons.

• Once we make a decision, we must stick to it and move forward.

  Once we make a decision, we must stick to it and move forward.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We need to take a decision about the budget.

  ✓ We need to make a decision about the budget.

  While 'take a decision' is acceptable in British English, 'make a decision' is far more common globally. Avoid using 'take' in American professional contexts.

• ✗ She did a decision to accept the job offer.

  ✓ She made a decision to accept the job offer.

  You cannot 'do' a decision. The correct verb to pair with decision is 'make'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The manager asked us to ___ by the end of the day.

  💡 To choose a course of action.

  Show answer

  make a decision

• I cannot ___ until I see the final financial report.

  💡 To resolve or choose after consideration.

  Show answer

  make a decision