unilateral decision

Meaning

This refers to a decision made by only one of the parties, individuals, or groups involved in a situation, without the agreement, consent, or consultation of the others. It often carries a slightly negative connotation of being authoritarian or inconsiderate of partnership dynamics.

Examples

• The CEO's unilateral decision to cut the budget angered many department heads.

  The CEO's unilateral decision to cut the budget angered many department heads.

• We cannot make a unilateral decision to alter the terms of our partnership agreement.

  We cannot make a unilateral decision to alter the terms of our partnership agreement.

• Her unilateral decision to cancel the project left the team feeling blindsided.

  Her unilateral decision to cancel the project left the team feeling blindsided.

• To avoid conflict, major structural changes should not be a unilateral decision.

  To avoid conflict, major structural changes should not be a unilateral decision.

• The union protested the management's unilateral decision to change working hours.

  The union protested the management's unilateral decision to change working hours.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The manager made a unilateral decide without asking us.

  ✓ The manager made a unilateral decision without asking us.

  'Decide' is a verb. The noun 'decision' is required after the adjective 'unilateral.'

• ✗ The board made a unilaterally decision to close the branch.

  ✓ The board made a unilateral decision to close the branch.

  'Decision' is a noun and must be modified by the adjective 'unilateral,' not the adverb 'unilaterally.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• The partner's ___ to sell his shares without consulting us violated our agreement.

  💡 A choice made by one side without agreement (2 words).

  Show answer

  unilateral decision

• Instead of making a ___, we should hold a meeting to reach a consensus.

  💡 A one-sided choice (2 words).

  Show answer

  unilateral decision